Saudi Arabia holds first-ever marathon for women

Women in Saudi Arabia participated in a marathon on Saturday for the first time in the kingdom’s history.

The 3-kilometer marathon took place in the eastern province of al-Ahsa.

“Al-Ahsa Runs” was the title used for the marathon, which was participated by 1,500 women in different categories such as professional, amateur, old and young.

The Saudi General Directorate of Sports, al-Moosa Hospital and al-Ahsa municipality sponsored the marathon.

Mizna al-Nassar of Saudi Arabia won the first place medal at marathon, leaving behind her rivals from different nationalities.

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Last month, Saudi Arabia allowed women to apply to join their armed services. In January, the government’s General Directorate of Passports opened 140 jobs for women in the air traffic control at the Saudi airports; an historic move which the government said drew 107,000 applicants. During the same month, the Kingdom allowed women to enter stadiums to watch men’s football matches for the first time.

In September, Riyadh removed the driving ban on women allowing them to freely apply for a driving licence from summer. Also, Saudi women can now open their own businesses without the consent of their husband or male relative, as the Kingdom pushes to expand a fast-growing private sector.