SAUDI ARABIA HOSTS *FIRST* MARATHON FOR WOMEN

'Al-Ahsa Runs,' first marathon for women in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia hosted its first marathon for women in the weekend, local media said, as the Kingdom seeks -

To boost female sports in far-reaching modernisation drive.

Hundreds of women runners, many of them dressed in traditional Islamic attire, raced in eastern AI-Ahsa region on Saturday.

''The aim of the marathon is to promote running and introduce the concept of sports for all, for a  healthier-way of life, ''Saudi-owned AI-Arabiya News quoted the marathon's supervisor, Malek aI Mousa, as saying.

The event came after Riyadh hosted its first international half-marathon in late February, which prompted complaints from some Saudis on social-media about the notable absence of women.

Sports authorities are set to organize another marathon for women in the holy city of Makkah on April 6, pro-government Okaz, newspaper reported.

*The Kingdom's General Entertainment Authority last month said it will stage more than 5,000  festivals and concerts in 2018*.

But some Saudis have complained on Social Media of what they called wasteful spending as the  Kingdom reels from slumping oil revenues, high inflation and unemployment.

[AFP]