Gulf Bank said in a statement that it had named the 10 participants in the third edition of its Challenge initiative, chosen from among 260 applicants to undergo a comprehensive six-week program of training, nutrition and mental preparation. The selected runners, who represent varied age groups with the youngest at 20 years old, different backgrounds and a range of fitness levels, will take part in the Gulf Bank 642 Marathon scheduled for November 30. The bank’s chief marketing officer, Najla Aleisa, congratulated the winners during a special ceremony and highlighted the diversity in their ages, experiences and ambitions, which range from completing a first 5-kilometre race to building running into a sustainable daily habit.
According to Gulf Bank, the Challenge reflects the institution’s continued focus on promoting sports and healthy lifestyles across the community, with partners providing coaching, personalised meal plans and medical oversight throughout the preparation period. The upcoming marathon stands as Kuwait’s sole event accredited by World Athletics and listed with the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a status that has drawn growing international interest. Previous editions have featured four race categories, including a 5-kilometre walk or run for those aged 11 and above, a 10-kilometre run from age 16, a half marathon from 18 and the full 42-kilometre distance.
Gulf Bank data from earlier events shows the marathon has attracted more than 10,000 participants in recent years, including runners from over 100 nationalities and hundreds travelling from abroad specifically for the occasion. The bank reported that across 10 prior editions the event has engaged around 75,000 runners in total while generating roughly KD2 million in economic activity and mobilising some 9,000 volunteers. Total prize money for the 2026 edition reaches $50,000, distributed across the competitive categories.
The statement from Gulf Bank noted that this year’s Challenge cohort includes individuals returning to running after breaks as well as those aiming for longer distances, all of whom will benefit from structured guidance designed to help them meet personal goals safely. Aleisa told attendees that the initiative empowers participants to surpass their limits and achieve meaningful progress whether through competition or personal milestones. Registration for the marathon itself remains open across all four distances via the official event website.
Organisers have emphasised the marathon’s role in fostering a culture of volunteerism and community engagement in Kuwait, with corporate teams forming a significant portion of entrants in past years. Gulf Bank itself fielded a record 615 employees in one recent edition, according to its updates. The scenic course passes several of the country’s landmarks, including the Kuwait Towers and Souq Al-Mubarakiya, creating a festive atmosphere that combines sport with cultural exposure.
In addition to individual runners, the event has increasingly drawn corporate and institutional participation, reinforcing its status as one of the largest annual sporting gatherings in the country. Gulf Bank has positioned the Challenge as a flagship community programme that complements the broader marathon effort by demonstrating tangible lifestyle transformation. Participants in previous Challenge editions have gone on to set personal records and speak publicly about the support they received from the bank’s partners in coaching and nutrition.
