RIYADH — The Riyadh Road Runners (RRR) held their annual half marathon race at Dirab Golf Course recently. The race was well attended despite being held on the same weekend as the Half Ironman triathlon in Bahrain, in which many Riyadh based athletes participated. In the male race, Saudi national Hamad Ozaybi started at a canter and immediately began to put time into his rivals, opening up a lead of over 200 meters by the first turn. Ozaybi put more and more distance between himself and the other athletes throughout the race, with only the injured Mo Foustok managing to keep within touching distance. Eventually Ozaybi claimed victory in a time of 1:18:31, a fantastic effort and a full 6 minutes faster than his last half marathon with RRR in 2013. Behind the two front runners, Bengt Lofgren and Stephen Young were engaged in an exciting battle for third place, with the experience of Lofgren eventually proving key and ensuring him a podium place, a mere minute in front of his American rival. The female race looked set to be wide open, as perennial winners Laura Blazek and Claudine Roghi were both absent for the first time this season. In their absence club newcomer and unknown quantity Franziska Saller won the race, despite seeing the substantial lead that she held after the first lap almost wiped out by a charging Nikki Layne on the closing straight. Marie-pierre Arminjon, a regular in the top 5 throughout the past few seasons, took a comfortable third place, well clear of the fast improving Kasha Grymule who finished fourth, but looks to be getting quicker every fortnight. The Riyadh Road Runners thanked Dirab Golf Course for hosting the race and Carrefour for providing water and food for the runners. Male race: 1. Hamad Ozaybi (KSA) 1:18:31, 2. Mo Foustok (KSA) 1:24:08, 3. Bengt Lofgren (SWE) 1:32:16. Female race: 1. Franziska Saller (GER) 1:46:09, 2. Nikki Layne (UK) 1:46:14, 3. Marie-pierre Arminjon (FRA) 1:47:32.
