Doha, 22 July, 2017: In a major boost to the development of endurance sports in Asia, Asian Athletics Association is proud to announce $500,000 prized Asian Premier Marathon Series 2017-18.
On the occasion of launch Dahlan Al-Hamad, President of AAA said “Marathon, being the ultimate symbol of extreme grits and guts, people who ever finish the 42.195km run gain tremendous fulfillment and achievement. AAA is proud of being leader of APM Marathon series. As we all have witnessed, the popularity of marathons has grown remarkably fast in the past few years around the world. I believe that APM will undoubtedly further boost the appeal of marathons in Asia. We look forward to making great strides for the bright future of marathons and Asian runners in Asia.”
APM, would be the first ever continental marathon event league in the world, jointly founded by Beijing Marathon, Beirut Marathon, Seoul Marathon and Infront China under the leadership of Asian Athletics Association (AAA). The new league aims to raise the competition level and international appeal of marathon events in Asia as well as attract more high-level Asian athletes to participate in top-tier APM events.
Inaugural season of APM series will start with Beijing Marathon 2017 on 17 September, followed by Beirut Marathon 2017 and Seoul Marathon 2018, and finish with Beijing Marathon 2018. Top 3 men’s and women’s Asian runners (6 in total) will share the half a million USD cash award. Moreover, APM member events will jointly set a ranking and awarding system for all Asian runners.
No.1 Continental Marathon Event in the World
As the first ever continental marathon event league in the world, the establishment of APM marks a pioneering work for the development of marathon in Asia and worldwide.
Beijing Marathon, Seoul Marathon and Beirut Marathon are the three founding members of APM. Beijing Marathon originally founded in 1981 is known as China National Marathon, which is one of the most influential marathon events in China. Seoul Marathon has a broad influence in Asia with a long history that could be traced back to 1931. Despite the youngest marathon event among these three members, Beirut Marathon founded in 2003 is the largest running event in West Asia.
Wang Nan, Vice President of CAA said:” 2017/2018 APM season will start from Beijing Marathon and their cooperation will not only provide a higher level of competitive platform for the participants in Beijing Marathon and assist runners from China and the whole Asia to increase their competitiveness, but also significantly boost the development of local events.”
Anne Zhao, Managing Director of Infront China remarked:” It’s an honor for me to share with you this historic moment belonging to Asia marathon and witness the official launch of Asian Premier Marathons. I, on behalf of Infront China, want to say thank you to AAA and APM members for their trust and recognition. We have spent three year on plowing Active Lifestyle & Endurance sports and accumulate rich experience in the sport. In the future, we will continue to focus on the mass consumption market in sports and do our best to further boost the development of marathon in China and in the whole Asian area.”
May El Khalil, Founder and President of the Beirut Marathon Association expressed:” The community’s engagement with the Beirut Marathon Association is vital to its success. Charities are the engine of our races. To be part of the Organizing committee of the Asian Pacific Premier Marathon is a great honor to all of us at the Beirut Marathon. A new milestone is achieved today, One that strengthens the bridges between the Middle East and the far East on the social, economic and educational levels, promotes businesses and stakeholders through the Beirut Marathon Platform, grows exchange of sport tourism by having Asian runners at BLOM BANK Beirut Marathon and Arab Runners in all city Marathons belonging to APM.”
Launch event was held ( 21st July) at China Hotel in Beijing in the presence of Mrs. Wang Nan, Vice President of CAA, Mr. Shui Tao, director of Marathon Office of CAA, Mrs. Anne Zhao, Managing Director of Infront China, Mrs. May El Khalil, Founder & President of Beirut Marathon Association.
