Irish delight as McLaughlin, Kelly emerge winners in Al Ain

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) community race day in Al Ain turned out to be a double delight for the Irish duo Colin McLaughlin and Sarah Kelly.
McLaughlin won the men’s 10-kilometre race in 39 minute and 19 seconds while Kelly in a time of 42.15 took the women’s race held around the Al Ain Zoo area on Saturday.
Emirati Fahad Al Dhanhani came home first in the men’s 5km race and Briton Jasmine Bateman (20:37) was winner of the women’s prize.
Indian Shiviani Thandareth (13:03) bagged the prize for the 2.5km event while Saif Al Alawi (9:08) was victor in the category for Emiratis over the same distance.
Suhail Abdullah Al Arifi, ADSC’s Acting Executive Director of the Events Sector, said they were encouraged the event drew more than 760 runners across the three distances.
“We at the sports council are overwhelmed from the response we have had from the community,” he said.
“Our objective is to encourage the community to participate in sporting activities and lead a healthy lifestyle. Hence, we have created an atmosphere for the entire family to participate and enjoy the weekend, of course with all safety and precautionary protocols to limit the spread of Covid-19.”
Al Arifi thanked the management of the Al Ain Zoo for hosting the races at their premises, sponsors and volunteers for a successful staging of the races.
“We are planning to add variety to the community sports to provide the opportunity for everyone and at every level to participate in the events, and also at different venues,” he added.
Next on the calendar is the Daman Triathlon Challenge at the Al Hudayriat Island on Friday, November 13.
The Tal Al Wathba Running Challenge on November 20, the 90km cycling race in Liwa on November 27, and the Bawabat Al Sharq Mall Running Race on November 28.
Registration for community races will be through their official website ADSC.AE.