Record Numbers of Dubai-based Companies Will Hit the Streets at Bloomberg Square Mile Relay

9 January 2018 (Dubai, UAE): Up to 1,000 employees from Dubai’s biggest companies are coming together for the annual Bloomberg Square Mile Relay – the ultimate corporate relay – as the 2018 global race series gets underway in Dubai on Wednesday, 7 February at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the official venue partner since the inaugural Dubai race in 2016.  

Organisers of the event are expecting a record number of companies to take part in the Dubai edition; with one month to go there are already 70% more teams signed up to taking on the challenge compared with last year. With an emphasis on team work, camaraderie and networking, companies such as National Bank of Fujairah, Barclays, Lloyds, JLL, Deutsche Bank, PwC, ICBC and J.P. Morgan have already registered their teams and there are only a limited number of places remaining.

Runners of all fitness levels are encouraged to take part in this fun and competitive event, with the team of 10 runners achieving the fastest cumulative time for 10 laps of the exciting one-mile (1.6km) route around the iconic DIFC Gate Building being crowned the fastest firm in the city. Competition gets fiercer each year with a number of newcomers bidding for the Dubai title, and many challenging their offices from around the world.

James Hassett, Managing Director of the event organiser Square Mile Sport, said: “After a thrilling 2017 series where we saw the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay take place in 10 cities across five continents, interest in the event has been phenomenal - not just in Dubai but with record numbers taking part across the world as companies look for a unique and exciting networking and team bonding experience. We are excited about the launch of the 2018 series which is kicking off in Dubai next month and we look forward to welcoming both old and new teams to this year’s race.”

Alya AlZarouni, Senior Vice President – Operations at DIFC Authority, commented: “It’s exciting to see the enthusiasm and great response from leading corporations who will take part in the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay Dubai. We’re proud to be the venue partner for this ultimate corporate relay and will continue to support such fitness challenges in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, to transform Dubai into the most active city in the world.”

All those taking part and their supporters can enjoy the atmosphere in the race village with first-class corporate hospitality and plenty of activities from event sponsors. The event does not stop when the runners cross the finish line; everyone is invited to join the official after-party with live music, food, beverages and entertainment to keep the celebrations going into the night.

Headline sponsor Bloomberg is the global business and financial information and news leader which has supported the event since it began in London in 2007. Since its inception, the phenomenally popular Bloomberg Square Mile Relay has grown to include ten international cities creating the biggest global challenge of its kind.

Spaces for the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay are filling up fast. To sign up a team today or for further information on the Bloomberg Square Mile Relay, please visit www.squaremilerelay.com/dubai