Ammon News - AMMAN - The 17th annual run of the LG Dead Sea Ultra Marathon (LG DSUM) is scheduled to be held on April 9.

HRH Prince Raad expressed his happiness with the number of participants so far.

"I am really glad to be here to announce the LG Dead Sea Ultra Marathon which so far has gathered around 7,000 runners from around the world for the April 9th event," Prince Raad said at a press conference held at Al Hussein Cultural Centre.

"The event proved to be a very popular one among all ages and at the end it is all done to help neurological patients," he added.

The Prince said that the event has also another positive dimension.

"It will also have an excellent impact on tourism as runners and their families are able to see the beauty of Jordan represented by several touristic sites such as the Dead Sea and Baptism Site, in addition to others," he said.

"We are going to facilitate everything for participants to make it a truly family event," he added.

So far 49 countries are taking part in the event.

The Society for Care of Neurological Patients (SCNP) Vice President Ghazi Farouq said that the Ultra Marathon has become a significant global event that fits to accommodate all family members.

"We still have around one month to go and we expect the number to increase as we have several professional teams from Germany, Spain and France which will make it really competitive," he said.

Last year, Ethiopia’s Habte Dibaba Robele was crowned champion of the men’s Ultra Marathon (48.7km) after clocking 3h05m followed by Iraq’s Nouri Jaber, with 3h05m39s, and Jordan’s Salameh Al Aqra’, with 3h06m27s.

In the women’s race, South African Suzette Vermaak won the Ultra Marathon run after clocking 3h45m40s, while American Meena Camp won the Marathon, with 3h34m.

Farouq said the LG DSUM also raises awareness towards the society’s existence in providing neurological patients with medical aid.

“The LG DSUM, the main fund-raising event for the SCNP, helps cover the costs of necessary surgeries and also increase awareness towards the benefits of running, by gathering people of different age groups to join this unique event to run to the lowest point on Earth,” he said.

LG Managing Director Kevin Cha said: “We are proud to be the first platinum sponsor of this charitable undertaking, which we annually support for the 17th year successfully.

"This initiative gives us and all Jordanian community a sense of pride and achievement. The event reflects the increasing social awareness towards social integration, especially that the proceeds shall contribute to bearing the expensive surgical operations for patients in need."

Runners will be able to take part in five separate categories: the Ultra Marathon (50km), the Marathon (42km), the Half Marathon (21km), the 10km and the Kids Marathon (4.2km).

The event will start from Al Hussein Park towards the Dead Sea.

Runners can register online at www.deadseamarathon.com for the event to be held under the patronage of Their Royal Highnesses Prince Raad and Prince Firas Ben Raad, and organised by SCNP.(JOrdan Times)