Ahmed Al Naqbi and Meera Al Falasi clinch top national honours as the Sharjah Sports Council wraps up its marquee community road race.
SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates — Hundreds of runners took over the tree-lined avenues of University City on Sunday evening as the Sharjah Sports Council wrapped up its latest edition of the Sharjah Summer Run, drawing an expansive field of local families, youth runners, and elite regional athletes.
Organised as part of the emirate’s year-round campaign to expand public athletic participation, Sunday’s road race featured competitive brackets spanning 1km, 2.5km, 5km, and 10km courses. The event brought together amateur joggers and seasoned distance specialists competing in dedicated Emirati national and open international divisions.
Ibrahim Saif bin Ghafan, Head of the Sports Events Organisation and Management Section at the Sharjah Sports Council, presented medals to the podium finishers across all age brackets and distances directly following the conclusion of the evening events.
The premier 10km division highlighted fierce competition in both sections. Ahmed Al Naqbi secured top honours in the Emirati men’s bracket, holding off challenges from runner-up Zayed Al Zahouri and third-place finisher Harbi Al Marri. In the Emirati women’s 10km, Meera Al Falasi claimed first place, followed by Hessa Al Suwaidi in second and Maitha Saud in third.
The 10km open categories featured dominant showings by international distance runners. Bernard Mengich crossed the line first in the open men’s division, with Paul Kombo taking silver and Abdul Samad Al Hebbaz finishing third. The women’s open crown went to Ann Wanjohi, who outpaced Fidelia Masongo and Sara Loudi to secure the top step of the podium.
Fast-paced tactical racing defined the 5km course. Majid Al Rustamani won the Emirati men’s division ahead of Khalid Al Abdouli and Hamad Al Fahad. The women’s national bracket saw Haya Al Abdullah earn victory, with Aya Al Marzouqi and Amal Al Shehhi rounding out the top three.
In the open 5km contest, Victor Korir broke away to capture the men’s title, finishing ahead of Edward Kimathi and Berian Merithi. Mercy Kimani claimed the women’s open title after an energetic duel with second-place Redemta Kwana, while Arti Shana finished third.
The sprint-distance 2.5km races saw Ali Al Yasi cross the tape first in the Emirati men’s bracket, trailed by Mohammed Ali and Ahmed Yaqoub. Safia Adel led the women’s national category, besting Noha Ismail and Khawla Al Balushi. The open 2.5km division saw Jamet Macharia take the men’s victory ahead of Abdullah Basmad and Saeed Boughaz, while Ibtisam Al Shehhi led the women’s field ahead of Fatima Al Hammadi and Layla Bolis.
Youth development took centre stage during the opening 1km junior run. Zayed Ahmed emerged victorious in the boys’ division, crossing the finish line ahead of Saeed Fadel and Obaid Ali. In the girls’ division, Sheikha Al Ali secured first place, flanked on the podium by Salama Ahmed in second and Alia Al Nuaimi in third.
The council confirmed that community sporting initiatives will continue throughout the autumn season in collaboration with local municipal bodies and private sponsors, aiming to sustain active lifestyle routines across the wider emirate.
