Dubai's top businesses swap ties for trainers to take part in the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay

4 February 2016 (Dubai, UAE): More than 500 city workers swapped their ties for running trainers to compete in the inaugural Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Dubai - the ultimate corporate relay race.

50 of Dubai’s biggest firms including Emirates NBD, Dubai Airports, HSBC, J.P.Morgan, and Standard Chartered battled it out over a one-mile (1.6km) route through the streets and pathways of Dubai International Financial Centre.

Crossing the line first, after completing ten laps of the one-mile (1.6km) course, was RPM with a time of 53:31 closely followed by GO FAST with a time of 54:11. Bond Consulting secured the third and final place on the podium with a time of 57:58. Ismall Kelkharchi from RPM also impressed the crowd of supporters by crossing the line as the fastest participant with a time of 4:42. RPM received the winner’s trophy on stage at the Awards Ceremony and also a cheque for 30,000 AED to donate to their nominated charity. RPM Team Captain on the night, Abdullah Hassan said: ‘I would like to thank all of our team members, our team coach Mubarak, and a special thank you must go to the event organisers, we really enjoyed this amazing race, which was very well organised, and once again thank you Mubarak."

Headline sponsor Bloomberg is the global business and financial information and news leader and has supported the event since the first race in London in 2007. Also supporting the race in Dubai were official fitness partner, Fitness First Middle East; official radio partner Dubai Eye; and official time-keeping partner TAG Heuer.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) were the official venue partner, with two teams from DIFC Authority – including members of the Senior Management – participating in the race.  The Centre provided a spectacular location for the race, right in the heart of the Financial District of Dubai. 

Raja Al Mazrouei, Senior Vice President – Marketing & Corporate Communications at DIFC Authority, commented: “Hosting the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay has reinforced DIFC as a destination for the community to not only advance their business objectives and engage with other professionals, but also to enjoy the fantastic infrastructure that the Centre has to offer.  The race inspired strong teamwork and good natured competition among some of Dubai’s largest corporations and financial institutions and we are proud to be the venue partner for such a highly regarded international event.”

After the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay race had finished, teams and spectators enjoyed world-class hospitality in the Race Village, provided by The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, before witnessing the awards presentation for the top three teams and the fastest individual. Guests were then invited to join the official after-race party in the Olive Garden at The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC, with complimentary beverages and live music.

The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay baton will now pass to Sydney where participants will weave their way through the spectacular one-mile (1.6km) route around Darling Harbour. Seven cities across the world are now hosting this global race series, with Sydney being the most recent addition and more to be announced in the coming year.

For further information on the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay or to enter a team at any of our events please visit the website at www.squaremilerelay.com