KUWAIT: Yesterday, Gulf Bank held a press conference in anticipation of one of its biggest events of the year, the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon. The much anticipated sporting event is scheduled to take place in less than ten days, on November 16, 2019, and invites challenge-seeking athletes as well as beginners to participate in one of Kuwait's biggest community events of the year. Last year's marathon was an unprecedented success with over 7,500 attendees representing over 66 nationalities competing at the event.

"Every year, we are proud to partner with local organizations that believe in our mission to spread awareness on the importance of health and fitness, and to take the lead in initiatives that benefit the Kuwaiti community. At Gulf Bank, we make it a point to welcome and support all members of our community, which is why the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon is open to participants of all levels," said Mr. Ahmad Al Amir, Assistant General Manager for External Communications at Gulf Bank. "Health and fitness are among the most important aspects of our corporate social responsibility program. According to the World Health Organization, the rate of obesity in Kuwait is 73.7%, and diabetics constitute 14.7% of the population, making events like this marathon more crucial than ever. Thanks to our combined efforts, the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon has become one of the biggest community events of the year and a fantastic day of fun for the whole family."

For the fifth year in a row, Gulf Bank is launching the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon in partnership with Pro-Vision Sports Management. The race consists of four categories open to runners of all abilities, including: the 5K Family Fun Walk/Run, the 10K Souq Run, the 21K Half Marathon, and 42K Full Marathon. The 5K is open to runners aged 11 and above, the 10K to runners aged 16 and above, and the 21K to runners aged 18 and above. The race takes runners through beautiful landmarks in Kuwait, starting at the entrance bridge of Souq Sharq, and heading in and out of Souq AlMubarakiya.

The Gulf Bank 642 Marathon is the only marathon in Kuwait that has the AbbottWMM accreditation. The AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings, a global age group marathon ranking system. Runners participating in the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon 2019 will get a chance to qualify for the age group ranking program, earning points according to their age, time and gender, aligned with the following age groups for men and women: 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+.

Gulf Bank will also be hosting the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon Exhibition prior to the race. The three-day health and fitness event is scheduled to take place from November 12-14 at Kuwait International Fairgrounds (Hall 4A). This year's main sponsors include Kuwait Airways, Lincoln Alghanim, Extreme Sports, and Intersport. The exhibition will include a number of health and fitness-related discussions, as well as activities for participants to enjoy. Participants will also be able to collect their race kits at the exhibition.

Gulf Bank is committed to maintaining a robust corporate social responsibility program. Every year, Gulf Bank extends it support to local youth initiatives, proudly advocating for women empowerment, sustainability, health and fitness, and building on the legacy of Kuwait's heritage and history. This year, Gulf Bank 642 Marathon has partnered with Kuwait Red Crescent Society to bring medical aid to those who are unable to afford medical treatment, providing support in covering the provision of medical devices including pacemakers, cochlear devices, hearing aids, electric wheelchairs, and stents.

For event registration and more information, please visit www.gulfbank642marathon.com or access the Instagram account @GulfBank642. Registration closes on November 15, 2019.