KUWAIT CITY, Nov 18: In a festive atmosphere filled with positive sporting energy, and under the generous patronage of the Acting Director of Kuwait University Prof. Osama Al-Saeed, the Deanship of Student Affairs organized the second edition of the Kuwait University Marathon for the 2024/2025 academic year on Saturday, November 16 at Sabah Al-Salem University City. According to a press release issued by Kuwait University, the event witnessed the participation of over 3,000 male and female competitors of all ages and categories, both from inside and outside the university, along with a large turnout of participants’ families and sports enthusiasts. The marathon was organized by the Sports Activities Department in the Deanship of Student Affairs, in collaboration with the Public Authority for Sports and a number of supporting organizations, including the Public Relations and Media Department, the Security and Safety Department, the Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, Visions Company, and the Ambition Sports Club for Mental Disabilities. The marathon was attended by the Acting Dean of Student Affairs Prof. Jassim Al- Hamdan, and the Assistant Dean of Student Activities Dr. Salem Al-Shammari. They both expressed their pride in the continued success of this sporting event. Enthusiasts from all walks of life, including people with disabilities, also took part, making the marathon a truly inclusive sporting experience.

Warm-up
The marathon’s activities began at 7:00 am with warm-up exercises, followed by the men’s race, then the women’s race, and concluding with the race for people with disabilities. To ensure smooth organization, participants’ sports jerseys were distributed three days before the event at the visitors’ center in Sabah Al-Salem University City. The second edition of the marathon was highlighted by a variety of accompanying activities, including thrilling sports shows, entertainment competitions, and performances by the Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences band. The event also featured a military parade, a children’s play area, and food carts offering coffee and healthy snacks, adding to the festive atmosphere. During the event, valuable prizes worth over KD 6,000 were awarded to the winners, sponsored by the Commercial Bank of Kuwait and supported by the Public Authority for Sports. Medals of appreciation were distributed to all participants in a festive atmosphere that filled the crowd with a spirit of competition and joy.

Winners and First Places
After the contestants crossed a distance of five kilometers, the results of the races were announced, with the most notable results being:
- Kuwait University Affiliates Category (18-35 years): 1st Place: Noura Abdullah; 2nd Place: Thamara Al-Shalal; 3rd Place: Batoul Bou Abbas
- Kuwait University Affiliates Category (36 years and above): 1st Place: Rawan Eidan; 2nd Place: Farah Al-Suwailem; 3rd Place: Maha Al-Qaoud
- Men from Outside the University Category (18-35 years): 1st Place: Yamani Al-Hamr; 2nd Place: Abdullah Younis; 3rd Place: Hamid Al- Janati

All participants with disabilities were also honored with medals and appreciation awards from Kuwait University and the Public Authority for Youth. After the event, Assistant Dean for Student Activities Dr. Salem Al- Shammari expressed his satisfaction with the success of the marathon. He stressed that the main goal was to inspire the university community to engage in sports and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Sustainable
Dr. Al-Shammari also highlighted how the marathon contributes to achieving sustainable development goals, particularly the objective of increasing physical activity rates to 40 percent as part of New Kuwait 2035 vision. He extended his gratitude to the supporting organizations, including private companies, sports institutions, and academic entities, praising their collective efforts in making the event an outstanding sports experience. It is worth noting that the marathon was sponsored by a diverse group of organizations, including Kuwait University Employees Social Security Fund, Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company, Emergency Medical Department of the Ministry of Health, Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, Public Authority for Youth, Kuwait Sports for All Federation, Jabriya Cooperative Society, Kuwait Feather Team, Kuwait Hospital, Cherry Kids for Recreational Trips, From Bumper to Bumper, ASICO, Mopar International Team, Kuwait Pulse Volunteer Team, Visions, Triple Oud, Telefonati, Flex Fitness, Fun Zone, Ultimate Explorer, The Soul, 48 East, Valhalla Valkyries, Jm Clinik, Flame Fitness, Sara Kalndar, Jump, Climbing Wall, and TLC. The marathon concluded to enthusiastic applause from the attendees, who praised the efforts exerted to organize such a highlevel sporting event. This successful event refl ected Kuwait University’s ongoing commitment to its social role in promoting sports and public health for all.