9 February 2017, Dubai, UAE:  The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Dubai saw a record turnout of more than 750 corporates take on the one-mile (1.6km) route around Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) during the annual corporate relay race.

75 of Dubai’s biggest businesses including MasterCard, HSBC, Barclays, Arab Bank and National Bank of Fujairah challenged each other on the specially designed course around the iconic Gate Building in a bid to become the ‘fastest firm in the city’. 

MustaNGroup was the fastest team, completing their ten laps of the one-mile course in a time of one hour, three minutes and 21 seconds, closely followed by Clyde & Co. in second with a time of one hour, five minutes and 36 seconds, and Al Tamimi & Company in third with a time of one hour, seven minutes and 33 seconds. 

Nora Ismagilova, team captain of the winning team, received the coveted winner’s trophy on stage at the awards presentation and said: “It was amazing. We didn’t expect this at all as lots of teams looked very strong. I am very pleased and very happy with the team. It was a great moment crossing the finish line. Thank you for putting on this amazing event.”

A new award category was also introduced this year in recognition of the increasing number of female runners. Bloomberg captured this inaugural award for ‘Fastest Mixed Team’ with a combined running time of one hour, 11 minutes and 36 seconds. 

Headline sponsor Bloomberg is the global business and financial information and news leader who has supported the event since it launched in London in 2007. The global race series has now expanded to seven cities across the world, and Dubai is the first city to host the event in 2017.

Claudia Maedler, Gulf Bureau Chief, Bloomberg L.P. said: “We would like to thank our partners, clients, sponsors and employees for their good spirit and participation in this exciting race. Congratulations to MustaNGroup on their winning glory tonight,” 

Other main sponsors included venue partner DIFC, wellness partner Valiant Clinic, automotive partner Maserati, media partners Bloomberg Businessweek and Elevision, radio partner Dubai Eye 103.8, and hospitality partner, Bazxar.

Raja Al Mazrouei, Senior Vice President – Marketing & Corporate Communications at DIFC Authority, commented: “As the official venue partner for the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay, we have been able to strengthen our position as a leading business and lifestyle destination, and showcase the Centre as a place for organisations and individuals to advance, engage and enjoy our unique offering. We are proud to be involved in this international event for the second year running and pleased to see teamwork, sportsmanship and friendly competition among our clients.” 

Following the race, all teams, supporters, friends and family enjoyed the Race Village activities and hospitality, before watching the awards ceremony and heading into Bazxar for the official after party where guests continued to celebrate.

Nick Keller, Managing Director of the event organiser Square Mile Sport, said: “The feedback from companies and individuals in Dubai has been phenomenal and it’s great to have seen a 50 percent increase in the number of teams since we launched last year and made our mark in Dubai. We would like to thank all our sponsors and partners that have been involved this year, and we look forward to many more successful events in Dubai.”

The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay will take place in 10 cities across the world including Dubai, Sydney, New York, Tokyo, San Francisco, Sao Paolo, London, Shanghai, Singapore, and Hong Kong.