December 13th, 2012

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon On Course For Record Registrations

With less than two months to go, the 2013 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon looks set for a record turnout with registrations higher than ever in the event’s 14 year history.

Recently awarded its second consecutive Gold Label status by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is on course to break its own record of 17,141 runners who competed in January 2012 – yet another milestone for the city’s only official ‘Marathon’ race over the classic 42.195km distance.

“No sooner had the 2012 event finished than we were being asked when registration would open for the 2013 race,” said Event Director Peter Connerton. “It’s rewarding for everyone involved with the event that runners in the UAE and from further afield look forward to competing in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.

“As most people are aware, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is the only official race over the Marathon distance held annually in Dubai and is an event every runner in the emirates wants to be a part of.

“In 2000, we had just over 1,800 participants while next month we expect ten times that many people to join us for the start of our three races on Emaar Boulevard. Add in the global interest in the event, the quality of the race times and the success in winning two IAAF Gold Labels and it is clear that the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has made impressive strides in just a short period of time.”

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is expected to see nearly 20,000 runners competing over the three events on January 25, 2013.

Among the big guns targeting Dubai’s flat and fast Marathon route will be Kenyan Moses Cheruiyot Mosop who competed for Kenya at the 2004 Olympic Games and went on to take the 10,000m bronze at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics. He also won silver at the 2007 IAAF World Cross Country Championships as well as team gold with Kenya in 2007 and 2009.

In Boston last year, Mosop and fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai ran the fastest times ever recorded for a marathon – 2:03:06 and 2:03:02 respectively – shattering the Boston course record by nearly three minutes, although the times were not officially recognised by the IAAF due to the nature of the Boston course.

“It will be the first time we’ve seen Moses in Dubai but there is no doubting his excellent racing pedigree,” added Connerton. “As well as running superbly in Boston, he also won the Chicago Marathon in 2011 and was selected for the Kenyan Olympic team for London but had to withdraw due to injury.”

In addition to Standard Chartered as title sponsor, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, Adidas, 103.8FM, Emaar, Sport 360, Dubai Holding, Dubai Police and the RTA. Runners who would like to take part in the 2013 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon or the associated 10km and 3km events should register online only at www.dubaimarathon.org.