Watson, Garland win Individual titles

Eric Watson and Olga Garland dominated and won the male and female individual titles respectively in yesterday’s Seef Mall Bahrain International Marathon which attracted more than 150 runners of all ages and nationality in foggy conditions at the start then becoming humid and sunny with little breeze as the morning wore on.

Watson from Australia completed the 21.1 km route in a time of one hour 13 minutes and 25 seconds to finish almost seven minutes ahead of runner-up Omar Alfailakawy (1:20:21) followed in third place by Magid Hussein Shaikheldin (1:20.55).

French runner Garland clinched the women’s title in one hour 42 minutes and 29 seconds and finished more than four minutes ahead of runner-up Ruth Kenna (1:46:48) with Angie Huss (1:49:59) claiming third spot.

The race began at the Seef Mall and then a loop around the Mall before going into the heart of the Seef District, then past the Ritz Carlton, Dana Mall and Bahrain City Centre.

Once entering Manama, the runners raced down the King Faisal Highway and then turned back near Al Fateh Highway junction and through the scenic Bahrain Bay area and back along the outward journey into the Seef District before finishing back at Seef Mall.

Professional Triathlete Watson was delighted with his win, “I made up for second place last year, though I thought it was quite humid at times with little wind. It is a very scenic race running past the tall buildings and through Bahrain Bay and I enjoyed it very much.”

Watson is set to take part in Dubai Ironman 70.3 on January 29 under new coach Jurgen Zack from Germany.

Garland said, “The conditions were perfect and we had a nice breeze at times, particularly noticeable when passing the tall buildings.

Bahrain Bay is really nice on the route and I always feel after you have completed 10km it has been tough, but once passing that mark you know you are on the way home and I’m satisfied with my run.

Many Bahraini women took part in the race and Najwa Abdul Rahim was one of them finishing second in the female 50+ category. “I was doing my third half marathon and enjoyed the course except for a few uphill stages on bridges and fly-overs. The weather was excellent and the organisers and volunteers did a fantastic job.”

After the race trophies were awarded to all category winners with all finishers receiving a medal.

Results: 

(Category, Position, Name): 

Overall Male: 1) Eric Watson (1 hour 13 minutes 25 seconds), 2) Omar Alfailakawy (1:20:21), 3) Magid Hussein Shaikheldin (1:20.55). 

Overall Female: 1) Olga Garland (1:42:29), 2) Ruth Kenna (1:46:48),  3)  Angie Huss (1:49:59). 

M65: 1) Mohsin Al Sharif (1:49:12), 2) Ebrahim Al Khalifa (2: 54:02) 

(M60): 1) Mustafa Fulad (1:46:50), 2) Ed Ryan (1:47:34), 3) Tawfeeq Mohammed (1:57:59).

M55: 1) Mohammed Al Dosssary (1:29:23), 2) John Myatt (1:34:06),  3) Michael Atkinson (1:36:57). 

M50: 1) Saber Hassan (1:29:50), 2) Paul MacGabhann (1:30:32), 3) Paul Hull (1:38:09). 

M45: 1) Colin Gardiner (1:36:05), 2) Omar Baroody (1:40:46), 3) Brandon Caine (1:41:15). 

M40: 1) Soohan Han (1:30:17), 2) Michael Rawn (1:35:09), 3) Jameel Jassim (1:35:57).

M30: 1)Ahmed Shareeda (1:21:01), 2) Salem Al Dosery (1:26:08), 3) Hamad Tamimi (1:27:03).