Popular International Sporting Event launches for the first time in the Middle East at the Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai UAE, November 22, 2015:  Square Mile Sport today announced the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay will be hosted for the first time in the Middle East at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) on Wednesday 3rd February 2016. This inaugural event for Dubai has been added to the established global race series that already includes London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

Set in the heart of the financial district around the DIFC, the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay will differ from other local running events – participants from firms currently located within the DIFC, as well as across the city, will challenge each other for pole position as they weave their way through the unique one-mile (1.6km) route that will take them up staircases, along corridors, through buildings and onto the surrounding pathways. 

Each team is made up of 10 runners, each one having to complete the unconventional one-mile (1.6km) course before handing the baton to their team mate. The team achieving the fastest cumulative time for 10 one-mile laps will be crowned champions of the inaugural Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Dubai.

The race culminates in a celebratory after-race party, where live music will kick off the evening as the sun sets and the race results are delivered. As part of their race entry, runners and supporters can enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment throughout the evening. During the awards ceremony not only will the fastest team be awarded with the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Dubai race trophy, but they will also receive a cheque for AED30, 000 to be donated to their nominated charity.

The annual sporting event has already had huge success since its launch in the City of London in 2007, expanding in recent years to Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai, with more than 100 teams entering the relay race at each location every year. Dubai marks the first leg of the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay 2016 series that will also include inaugural races for Sydney, New York and Frankfurt, with further races expected to be announced for 2017.

Nick Keller, MD of the event organiser Square Mile Sport, said: “The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is a unique sporting event whose goal is to offer a platform for teams from local corporates to express their sporting enthusiasm while also building trust and understanding within and between team. It is a great opportunity to take part in a team-building or corporate networking activity or merely enjoy seeing the city from a special on-foot perspective. The event is open to all levels of experience, whether you are an elite runner or just run for fun in your spare time – we want everyone to enjoy this fantastic experience.” 

Bloomberg, the global business and financial information and news leader, has been the headline sponsor of the Square Mile Relay since it started in 2007 in the City of London. 

Stefanos Thomatos, Regional Head of Sales, Bloomberg L.P., said: “Bloomberg is proud to bring the Square Mile Relay to Dubai. We've had a presence in the UAE for more than a decade and have continued to expand our operations in Dubai as the city has grown and become an increasingly important global financial centre. The race embodies the importance of collaboration and speed in business and it's going to be great to see so many of our customers, employees and industry peers running alongside each other for their chosen charities."

Raja Al Mazrouei, Senior Vice President – Marketing & Corporate Communications at DIFC Authority, commented: “Bloomberg’s decision to partner with DIFC as the first location in the Middle East to host the Square Mile Relay is a true testament to our positioning alongside leading financial centres such as London, Hong Kong and New York.  This event is not only a great opportunity for us to highlight DIFC’s advanced infrastructure and engage with our established financial and business ecosystem, but also to showcase the Centre as a lifestyle destination for the wider community to enjoy.”