The three-race event, which is held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai and the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council, is expected to attract a record number of 23,000-plus runners overall.

At the front of the field, Ethiopians and Kenyans will be vying for supremacy from the start as Africa’s finest long-distance contenders make a concerted bid to land the two $200,000 winners’ cheques.

Routes & maps

The Ethiopians have a fine recent record in both the men’s and women’s marathon races. They’ve won four of the last five runs in the men’s event, while they’re even more dominant in the female equivalent with six successive wins on the bounce.

It’s hard to ignore such a sterling pedigree in a race of this calibre, but — equally — past achievements and prior form counts for little when so many challengers are fleet of foot on an intentionally flat and quick course.

Still, it appears Yemane Tsegay and Tirfi Tsegaye, both of Ethiopia, will set off as slight pre-race favourites. With Kenyan Moses Mosop out of the running, Tsegay — the Rotterdam marathon winner last year — is likely to find some stern competition in the form of his compatriot Dadi Yami.

Unheralded debutants are also to be feared following fresh-faced newcomer Ayele Abshero’s course record-breaking heroics last year. Tsegay and Tsegaye will then be keeping tabs on the in-race progress of unheralded first-timers Moses Masai and Wude Ayelew respectively.

All three races will start and finish outside The Pavilion, Downtown Dubai with the marathon getting underway at 7am, while the 10km runners will hear the start gun at 7:15am.

The families and fun runners competing in the final event of the day, the 3km, will take to the roads at 10:30am.

As well as a full morning of running and activity on the streets around Dubai, there will be a wide range of entertainment, food and beverage outlets and other activities in the Marathon Village at the Burj Park.

What They Have Said

Event director Peter Connerton: “Last year’s course records showed yet again that we have one of the fastest courses in the world of international marathon running, while the award of a second IAAF Gold Label underlines how far we have come in such a short period of time.

“As always, we are grateful not only to the international running community for supporting Dubai as a marathon city, but also to the thousands of Dubai residents who come out and support the event year after year.

“And for the first time, I am pleased to announce that with the support of Dubai Sports Channel, we will broadcast the race live on our official website: www.dubaimarathon.org.”

Event general co-ordinator, president of the UAE Athletics Federation and IAAF Council member Ahmed Al Kamali: “With the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, and the ongoing support of the Government of Dubai, the race has become one of the biggest events on the Middle East sporting calendar.”

FACTS & STATISTICS

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon Course Records:

Men: Ayele Abshero (Ethiopia): 2:04:23s (2012).

Women: Aselefech Mergia (Ethiopia): 2:19:31s (2012).

Awards and Bonuses – Marathon

Marathon Open (for both Men & Women):

First: $200,000.

Second: $80,000.

Third: $40,000.

Fourth: $20,000.

Fifth: $12,000.

Sixth: $11,200.

Seventh: $10,400.

Eighth: $9,600.

Ninth: $8,800.

Tenth: $8,000.

Marathon World Record Bonus (for both Men & Women): $100,000.

Marathon UAE Nationals (for both Men & Women):

First: 10,000.

Second: 5,000.

Third: 3,000.

Total: 18,000.

Marathon Wheelchair Open (for both Men & Women):

First: 10,000.

Second: 5,000.

Third: 3,000.

Total: 18,000.

Marathon Wheelchair UAE Nationals (for both Men & Women):

First: 10,000.

Second: 5,000.

Third: 3,000.

Total: 18,000.

Awards & Bonuses – 10km:

10km Open (for both Men & Women):

First: 4,000.

Second: 2,000.

Third: 1,000.

Total: 7,000.

10km UAE Nationals (for both Men & Women):

First: 4,000.

Second: 2,000.

Third: 1,000.

Total: 7,000.