Four Omanis to participate in UTMB Mont-Blanc

A group of mountain running champions and long-distance runners are preparing to shine on the international scene, as Hamad Al-Harthy, Hamdan Al-Khatiri, Issa Al-Abri and Muhammad Al-Shizawi participate in the UTMB® Mont Blanc World Mountain Run in the French Republic, which is one of the largest known and ancient races in the sport of mountain running and attracts about 5 Thousands of participants from different countries of the world.

The runners will participate in two different distances, 171 km and 100 km. The starting whistle will sound on Friday, September 1 in the French city of Chamonix, while the mountain path will pass through rural neighborhoods, up to the heights of the Alps, and passing through three countries, namely Switzerland, Italy and France.

Through participation, the participating athletes are looking forward to achieving honorable results on behalf of the Sultanate of Oman in this well-known international forum, in addition to employing their experiences gained during the past years through their previous participation in various mountain running destinations.

The runners receive technical support from the Hemam Mountain Running Race, which is organized annually in the last quarter of each year. Speaking on behalf of the team, runner Hamad Al Harthy said: “Our presence in the world’s largest mountain running race is to represent our dear country in this well-known international forum and strive to raise the flag of the Sultanate of Oman. Our country is full of unique mountainous terrain, from which we set out to train, prepare and hone skills for many years, and from the high mountains we set out to compete internationally.

Al-Harthi added: “We are very grateful to the technical support team consisting of Ahmed Al-Fahdi, Ali Al-Balushi, and Sultan Al-Shuraiqi from the Himam mountain running team. Their role will be to support the Omani runners in physical and psychological preparations and planning for the long path in terms of nutrition and energy distribution to maintain high performance throughout the race distance.”

Hamdan Al Khatri also said that the Omani participation again in this global event in France is evidence of the spread of this sport and the growth of its practitioners at the local level with the wide participation of citizens, residents and children of all ages, pointing to the team’s aspiration to achieve good gains in this race that add to what He has a wealth of experience.

On the sidelines of the global event, the organizers of the “Himm Mountain Run” race are organizing a promotional exhibition in the race village, which aims to promote the Sultanate of Oman as a destination for mountain running and adventures, in addition to attracting participants from the visiting masses of the global race to join the fourth edition, which is scheduled to be organized from November 23-25.

The Himam race next November includes a range of distances, the first of which are 110 km, 55 km, and 25 km, in addition to a number of short family and children’s races to spread the culture of mountain running in society.

The upcoming event is supported by the Governorate of Interior and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, due to its importance in promoting the tourism and natural resources of the Sultanate of Oman and its harmony with many of the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.