Amman, March 2009 – As part of its ongoing programs dedicated to fostering sportsmanship and promoting Jordan's international athletes, Aramex held a press conference yesterday (Wednesday) to announce the participation of its runners, Salameh Al Aqra and Mohammed Al Suwaiti, in the Marathon Des Sables 2009 for the fourth consecutive year. The 6-day endurance marathon, which has garnered wide international interest, will take place in the southern Moroccan desert between March 26th and April 6th, 2009.
During the conference, Mr. Raji Hattar, Aramex Chief Sustainability and Compliance Officer, highlighted the importance of the Jordanian athletes’ representation in this 243km ultramarathon, which is considered the longest and toughest footrace in the world in light of its extreme geographical and climatic conditions. Al Aqra and Al Suwaiti respectively won 2nd and 10th place in the 2008 marathon, which drew 900 competitors from around the world.
"It gives us great pleasure to once again take part in this unique experience. We are very proud of the previous results achieved by our two champions, whom we are fully committed to supporting by providing them with all the provisions needed to successfully contend for the title," said Hattar.
Al Aqra and Al Suwaiti shared their past marathon experiences with the press and discussed their strategies for overcoming the difficult race conditions, which include towering sand dunes, uneven rocky terrain, dangerous valleys, grueling temperatures, and stiff international competition. They also expressed their pride in their performance during last year's marathon, and their appreciation for Aramex's constant support and encouragement.
Aramex has been providing continuous support to its Jordanian runners since 2000 to help them further their athletic careers and achieve advanced results in various regional and international arenas.
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This news release has been distributed by Bidaya Corporate Communications on behalf of Aramex.
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