ATHLETICS – A record turnout of more than 200 teams is expected for this year’s edition of the kingdom’s biggest and most popular charity running race.
The NBK Bahrain Marathon Relay 2026 is scheduled to take place on November 20, starting and finishing at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir and featuring a 30-kilometre course divided into 10 stages of three kms each.
Officials at the start line ahead of last year’s race
The route will take runners along the surrounding areas of BIC and head towards Bilaj Al Jazayer in Zallaq before going back to the circuit.
The highly anticipated event will also include a kids’ relay for the very first time. Open to teams with runners aged eight to 13 years old, it will be held over four kms, separated into four one km legs.
The Bahrain Marathon Relay is once again being supported by title sponsors National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), and it is organised by the Bahrain Road Runners (BRR) in co-operation with The British Club and the Bahrain Athletics Association.
“The Bahrain Marathon Relay is one of the biggest annual sporting occasions in the kingdom and we are looking forward to a record event this year,” BRR vice-chairman Khalifa Najem told the GDN.
“This is the third year in a row that BRR is organising the Bahrain Marathon Relay with The British Club and the BAA. It was started many years ago by The British Club, and after a brief hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we joined forces with them and have managed to organise very professional races the past two years that were enjoyed by many, many people.”
“Last year was a great success as we reached 200 teams, and this year we are aiming to increase that number to 220 – 10 per cent more.
“The new relay for kids will also be a wonderful addition to the relay. We believe that kids will have lots of fun and the Bahrain Marathon Relay has always been a family gathering, so it was only natural to have this event for the young ones.
“We invite everybody to be a part of this year’s relay. There will be plenty to see and do at BIC aside from the race, such as traditional bands, a DJ, food outlets, exhibitors from different sectors, and much more.”
Aside from the relay’s overall winners, top three teams in 11 categories will come away with awards.
These divisions include banks, insurance and financial Institutions; construction and real estate; government and advisory; gyms; hospital, medical services, hotels and catering; industrial companies; IT, telecommunications and media; sports and social clubs; trading and services companies; transportation, logistics and airlines; and universities and schools.
Teams interested in being a part of this year’s NBK Bahrain Marathon Relay are advised to sign up as soon as possible on the Tathaker application as slots are running out fast.
Teams that register by October 25 will be included in the official booklet, Najem said.
More information can be found on BRR’s social media channels.
The Bahrain Marathon Relay was founded by The British Club Bahrain in 1981 and has become an important highlight on the kingdom’s sporting calendar.
The race is promoted as a fun event aimed at participants of all standards, from elite athletes to keen joggers and even once-a-year runners.
Funds generated from the relay form a major part of the donations presented by the BRR and The British Club each year.
Beneficiaries from last year’s event include Bahrain Cancer Society, Bahrain Down Syndrome Society, Bahrain Sickle Cell Society, Bahrain Autistic Society, Friendship Society for the Blind, and The Bahraini Catalysts Disabilities Association, among others.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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