Families and even pets cheer on runners in annual RAK Half Marathon

Seven-year-old Tilly Thompson cheered on her dad as he started his 21-kilometre run for the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on Friday. She was one of many loved ones, and even a pet dog, who turned out to show support for more than 3,500 participants.

Runners at the start line. All photos by Natheer Halawani for The National

RAS AL KHAIMAH // Tilly Thompson braved the cold morning air with her mother as they sat on the sidelines, cheering for her father who was running his first half marathon.

The seven-year-old was excited for him as he started his 21-kilometre run at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon yesterday.

“If my dad finishes the race, I will make him a cake,” the young Briton said.

Her mother, Tracey, 39, said they drove to the northernmost emirate from Dubai.

The cold breeze did not stop family members and friends from cheering on their loved ones when the race started at 7am.

More than 3,500 runners from 98 countries took part in the 10th annual half marathon.

Norwegian Aksel Lovenholm, 74, was the oldest runner in the event, while the youngest was Greta Prodi, an 11-year-old Italian resident of Ras Al Khaimah.

Running with a group of friends, 50-year-old Dutchman Geert Janssen wanted to beat his personal record. “I’m aiming for one hour and 58 minutes this year,” he said.

Mr Janssen crossed the finish line in two hours and two minutes, while his friend Mylene Garcia – who has run the race every year for the past five years – was a minute faster.

Millie, a two-year-old rescued dog from Abu Dhabi, could not take part in the race with her owner Nate Rosen, but was waiting at the finish line with Mr Rosen’s wife, Lydia.

“We started our journey from Abu Dhabi at 3.30am,” said Mr Rosen, a 26-year-old American. “Lydia and Millie are here to support me in my first time running a half marathon.”

Simone Camposeranio and his wife Giorgia participated in the race for the first time as a married couple. Last year, Mr Camposeranio proposed after they crossed the finish line.

“We got married in April last year, and we wanted to complete the race together. But Simone was sick this week,” said the 35-year-old Mrs Camposeranio. The Italian couple pulled out at the eight-kilometre mark.

Water stations on the route were set up for runners every two and a half kilometres, sports drink stations every five kilometres, while medical stations were also available.

Kenyan Cynthia Limo, 26, was the first woman to finish the race in 66 minutes and four seconds – a personal best.

“I broke my record today. I’m so happy,” she said. “The weather was really good, and the scenery was amazing.”

Birhanu Legese, a 22-year-old Ethiopian, took first place in the men’s category (60:40), while Saif Hamad Al Rashdi, 39, and Sarah Faraidooni, 33, were the first Emiratis to finish the race.

Isabel Barcia had her two daughters and husband waiting at the finish line, while her son Sancho, 17, chose to run with her. “I’m hoping to finish the run in two hours and 10 minutes,” said the 44-year-old Spaniard, who completed the course in two hours and 16 minutes.

From Fujairah, Joseph Matthew and 50 staffers of Horizon Vopak, a petroleum products storage firm, took part in the team relay challenge.

Mr Matthew was greeted at the finish line by his daughters, aged eight and nine.

“This is my fourth time in the RAK marathon, and I broke last year’s five-kilometre run by almost four minutes,” said the 43-year-old storekeeper.

The route for the race, which was first staged in 2007, starts near the City Hotel and includes the Mangrove Swamp, Al Qawasim Corniche, and the Ruler’s Palace.