January 22nd, 2015

World’s Best Ready To Hit The Streets Of Dubai

Dubai (UAE): The world’s best marathon athletes will rub shoulders with thousands of hardy amateur runners when the world’s richest marathon – the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon – takes to the streets of the UAE tomorrow (Friday).

And with Ethiopian running superstar Bekele headlining the men’s list, which features 20 athletes with personal bests of sub 2:10, talk is of one of the best times in history being recorded.

In recent editions, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has made headlines when marathon debutants took three consecutive occasions in the men’s race with the winners clocking world-class times of sub 2:05 each time. However, given the depth of the field, it would be truly sensational if Dubai’s debutants’ winning streak were to continue.

“I feel confident, I’m happy and I know I’m better prepared than before,” said 32 year-old Bekele, who won his marathon debut in Paris last April with 2:05:04 and then took fourth in Chicago in 2:05:51.

“This is a very important race for me. I want to improve my time. I am confident to make history here, but you can never say you will win – you can’t be sure, because otherwise it would not be a race.

Bekele’s manager Jos Hermens believes his man has never been in better shape. “When he was running on the track he could train for two months and then break a world record but this approach does not work in the marathon,” said Hermens who hopes for a better performance from Bekele than in Chicago. “If he runs a low 2:04, improving by around one minute that would be fine.”

Three-time Dubai winner Haile Gebrselassie will be an interested spectator in Dubai and his national record of 2:03:59 could also become an objective for his young rival. “I have not spoken to Haile about Dubai, but I saw his races when he was competing here. Every race is different,” said Bekele.

The course record is also the goal for the women’s race and the current record holder looks ready to attack it in an event held under the patromage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

“If all goes well I can run under 2:20 and break the course record. I am as strong as before maternity leave,” said Aselefech Mergia, who gave birth to her daughter Sena in July 2013. A year before she ran the Dubai course record of 2:19:31 which remains her personal best.

“To run the Frankfurt Marathon in October was an option, but my shape was not good enough. I really only wanted to come back once I was fully fit again. Now I’ve been able to train well for four months, so I am ready. My goal is to win the race,” said Mergia, who would earn prize money of $200,000 if she succeeds, the biggest payday in marathon running.

“I am confident, but of course I know that it will be tough. Everyone who is coming to Dubai is competitive,” said Mergia, who will face the defending champion, fellow-Ethiopian Mulu Seboka, and Lucy Kabuu. The Kenyan was second in 2012, crossing the line just three seconds behind Mergia in 2:19:34. Four more runners have personal bests of sub 2:22.

Away from the big guns, thousands of amateur runners will have their own special reasons for running, including a team of more than 70 from Dubai Eye 103.8. The radio team will use the occasion – running across the Marathon, the 10km and the 4km Fun Run – in memory of former employee Rebecca Davidson who tragically lost her life while on an assignment for the station.

“We will all ‘Run 4 Rebecca’ just as we did in 2014,” said Arabian Radio Network COO Steve Smith. “Rebecca was a very popular member of our news team and a keen sports fan. We started the Run 4 Rebecca initiative to make sure we recognise and remember her energy and determination.”

Like the Dubai Eye 103.8 team – which will include staff, presenters and competition winners – thousands of others will line up at 7am (Marathon), 7.15am (10km) and 11am (4km) for the Middle East’s biggest mass participation event.

The race will be shown live on television on the Dubai Sports Channel as well as globally through the event’s associated TV partners and online here at the official website (click on ‘Live Stream’ on the home page).

In addition to Standard Chartered as title sponsor, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, Dubai Eye 103.8FM, Sport 360, Masafi, Dubai Holding, Dubai Police and the RTA.