MORE than BD25,000 was yesterday collected for charity in one of Bahrain’s biggest annual sporting events.

Hundreds of runners took to the track and were divided into 149 teams.

The 32nd Bahrain Marathon Relay, organised by the Bahrain Round Table (BRT), saw participants divided into schools and colleges, under-18s, mixed, men and women’s teams, information technology and communications, hotels and restaurants, financial institutions, sports and social clubs, airlines and construction companies.

“We saw scores of teams compete in the event to help support charitable projects that we are planning to fund in BRT,” said organiser Simmon Cocks.

Success

“What we collected this year is more than that of last year with around BD25,000 and hopefully it will be utilised properly to help the community, wherever most needed,” he said.

“The success of the relay is mainly due to the involvement of all members of the community and without their participation we would not have managed to achieve more than what we had as a target.”

The 48km charity race was split into 16 legs of approximately 3km per stage.

It started at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), Sakhir and travelled through Zallaq Highway, heading towards the Royal Golf Club, Riffa, passing behind Askar, Sakhir and the new airfield before returning to the main road close to Awali and finishing where it started.

The start line was at VIVA Karting Track and ended in front of the Paddock Club.

The relay is one of the largest sporting events in the region in terms of participation and raises money for local charities and the needy in Bahrain.

Funds raised came from a variety of sponsors and the entrance fees for teams ranged between BD160 and BD200.

No particular charity has been decided for this year’s event and the organising committee is open to suggestions from participating institutions, said organisers.

Last year’s event raised BD18,000 with 141 teams taking part, and organisers said money raised in the past has ranged between BD18,000 and BD40,000.

The event was sponsored by Chevron, VIVA, Dilmunia, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Unisono, HSBC, BNP Paribas, Arwa, BIC, Bahrain Athletics Association, General Organisation for Youth and Sport and the Bahrain Marshals Club.

The Winners:

Open Men’s Tournament:

1. Samso Wellness Running Team

2. Balexco

3. Shatman Group

Open Ladies Tournament:

Samso Wellness Running Ladies

Under-18: Dhahran School

Over-18 – Schools and Educational Centres:

St Christopher’s Teachers

Bahrain’s Sports and School Clubs:

Bahrain’s Roadrunners

Hotels and Restaurants:

Ritz-Cartlon Bahrain Hotel
and Spa

IT and Communications:

Almoayyed Group

Sponsors:

BNP Paribas

Most Improved:

GIB

Hash Houses:

Bahrain Black Hash

mohammed@gdn.com.bh