Veteran runner urges public to 'run for a better life'

Once a helicopter pilot and now a passionate runner, Paul Dean, representative of the Muscat Road Runners (MRR), a group which stands for running for a better life, advocates a healthy lifestyle and urges people to lead an active lifestyle.

Leading an active and sporty life is more important, as lifestyle diseases, and fatalities are climbing their way up due to lack of physical activity and bad food habits.

“I’m a casual runner interested in bringing people to run. Those who run for the first time, might find it difficult initially but will enjoy later,” said an energetic Paul Dean.

Muscat Road Runners (MRR) is a multinational group which gets together several times a week to run since 1983. This group, with 80 members, constantly educates people to run to be healthy. It conducts running with the participation of at least 45 people of all abilities.

Speaking to the Observer on the sidelines of the press conference of Al Mouj Muscat Marathon, the biggest running event in the Sultanate, he said that most of those who found it difficult in the first instance, became better runners at a later stage in life.

Al Mouj Muscat Marathon will take place on February 11 and 12, 2022.

“We shouldn’t stop running in a day; instead, continue running and lead a healthy lifestyle,” Paul, who has been running since its first edition in 2012 and had inspired many to run along every year, said.

The 2022 Al Mouj Muscat Marathon will feature seven-race distances: Marathon – 42.2 km; Half Marathon – 21.1 km; 10 km; 5 km; 3 km; 2 km and 1 km. The Marathon, Half Marathon and 10 km will be held on February 11, while the 5 km and kids’ races are scheduled to be held on February 12.

The 2020 edition had close to 11,000 participants, and the 2022 Al Mouj Muscat Marathon is expected to attract a large number of participants. The organisers are diligently working towards creating an environment where all safety protocols are in place during the event and in close coordination with the government authorities who are taking all measures to ensure Covid-19 is under control in the country by the end of the year. The marathon will be open only to fully vaccinated participants.

Cases of obesity are increasing in Oman. For them, Paul Dean has a simple message: Join the Muscat Marathon and make running a part of life.

The MRR works on the objective of adding more and more people to the running activity. “Running takes care of your mind, body, and spirit. The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward can make you healthier, happier, and more confident,” it says.