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Over 100 companies and organizations from across Dubai took on the one-mile (1.6km) course around Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) at the annual Bloomberg Square Mile Relay event yesterday. The race has gone from strength to strength over the years with the event being sold out for the first time this year, having grown rapidly since it launched in Dubai in 2016.
Over 1,000 runners were on the specially-designed course sprinting for the title of ‘fastest firm in the city’ as they were cheered on by their friends and colleagues, but only one team could go home with the title. Emirates Steel were the overall winners, completing their ten laps of the one-mile course in a time of one hour, one minute and twenty seven seconds, closely followed by Skydive Dubai in second and Standard Chartered Bank in third.
Eslam Ramadan, team captain of winning team Emirates Steel, received the coveted winner’s trophy on stage at the awards presentation and said: “We can’t believe we’ve done it, we wanted to improve on our time from 2018 and enjoy the event as a team, so winning this year is a bonus for us. We love the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay and we can’t wait to come back again next year!”
The ‘Fastest Mixed Team’ on the night was won by Real Estate Rockets (JLL) with a combined running time of one hour, six minutes and thirty seconds. To support female participation across the series, the ‘Fastest Female Team’ category was launched this year, and the inaugural award in Dubai was won by Barclays Ladies Team in a time of one hour, thirty one minutes and three seconds. The ‘Fastest Runner’ on the night was Phillip Clarke with an impressive time of five minutes and twenty three seconds.
David Strevens, Regional Manager, Financial Product Sales – Middle East & Africa, Bloomberg L.P. said: “We would like to thank all the participants for being part of the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Dubai and making it a success for yet another year. Congratulations to Emirates Steel for placing first and a special congratulations to Barclays Ladies Team on being the Fastest Female Team - we hope this encourages more women to take part in the future.”
Alya Al Zarouni, Executive Vice President of Operations at DIFC Authority, commented: “It has been amazing to see the continued and growing interest from our community, with the number of participants and partners increasing every year since DIFC first hosted the event in 2016. This year’s course was particularly special, with many of the runners getting their first view of the Gate Avenue promenade, which seamlessly connects the entire DIFC. Our congratulations to all the runners and especially Emirates Steel for winning this year’s Bloomberg Square Mile Relay - we look forward to seeing you all in 2020!”
Over 1,400 runners, supporters, friends and family enjoyed the hospitality and entertainment in the Race Village, before concluding the night at the Ritz-Carlton, DIFC at Flair No.5 for the official after party where everyone continued to celebrate.
James Hassett, Managing Director of the event organiser Square Mile Sport, said: “This year marks a huge milestone with over 100 companies participating in the Dubai event - a 100% increase since we launched. Thanks to our increasing portfolio of sponsors and partners and we look forward to another sell-out event in 2020!”
In addition to Bloomberg as headline sponsor, other main sponsors and partners include venue partner DIFC, race partner Invisalign Center, hotel partner Rose Rayhaan by Rotana Dubai, automotive partners Al Tayer Motors and Maserati. Valiant Healthcare as wellness partner, media partners Bloomberg Businessweek, Elevision Media and Businessliveme.com, radio partner Dubai Eye 103.8, hospitality partner The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC and fitness partner, Fitness First.
Headline sponsor Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, has supported the event since it began in the heart of London’s business district in 2007. This year the global series will grow to 12 cities worldwide, with inaugural races taking place in Paris and Mumbai, and will see a variety of companies in each city network, bond and collaborate outside their working environment. For further information on the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay visit the website at www.squaremilerelay.com
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