Stage set for world's richest marathon

Dubai - Nearly 37,000 runners will take to the streets in Umm Suqeim

Nearly 37,000 runners will take to the streets in Umm Suqeim between 6.30am to noon when the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, the richest in the world with a prize money offering of $1 million, takes place on Friday.
Ranked the second best marathon worldwide, the Dubai Marathon this year has a world-class field. The first big race of this Olympic year, over the classic 42.195km distance, is expected to produce yet another fiercely-contested battle in both categories (men and women).
In addition to the traditional main race, the 10km (9am start) and 4km (11am) races will also be held, where close to 19,000 participants of these two categories are epected to finish at the podium area near the Dubai Police Aademy and the traffic light at the beginning of Al Wasl Road.
The weekend shodown will see six former champions in a field which contains 28 men who have all run sub 2:10 races. Such is the strength of the event that since running legend Haile Gebrselassie won in 2008, seven men have all bettered Gebrselassie's winning time which - eight years ago - was the second fastest in marathon history.
The marathon is being staged under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and is held under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council.
The finer details of the Friday event were given at a Press conference in Dubai at Meydan Hotel where Saeed Hareb, secretary general, Dubai Sports Council; Ahmed Kamali, president, UAE Athletics Federation and executive council member, IAAF; Julian Wynter, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank UAE; Cedric Betis, Chairman of Dubai Holding Wellness Committee; Jad Chouman, Senior Brand Director, adidas Middle East and North Africa; and event director Peter Connerton, were present.
Also present for the announcement was Paula Radcliffe, former legend in long distance running and the current holder of the women's marathon world record of 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds. And, on Friday, IAAF president Sebastian Coe, a former Olympic middle distance gold medallist himself, is expected to attend the Dubai Marathon this weekend. Paula is here as a commentator.
Wynter said: "Globally, Standard Chartered Bank sponsors nine marathons in some of the most exciting cities across our footprint in Asia, Africa and the Middle East and we are delighted to continue partnering with the event organisers to bring this flagship sporting event to the UAE. This year's gathering will mark the 12th year for Standard Chartered sponsoring the Marathon, which is a testimony of being here for the long run, here for good."
"There are a number of factors that have helped place the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon at the forefront of international distance running," said Connerton, "Since then, we have continually seen our stats and figures break new ground - the first marathon to have five men finish the same race in sub 2:05, the first race to have three women break 2:20 in the same event - so it's pleasing to see this reflected in the event's global standing. Hopefully, we can continue to push on and emphasise the standing of sport in Dubai."
Hareb said: "Dubai continues to push itself higher and higher in the conduct of world class sports events and the Dubai Marathon ranks among the priorities of Dubai's leaders."
"Thanks to the support of the government of Dubai, we have enjoyed a boom in the global popularity of the Dubai Marathon," said Kamali, "To be ranked second in the world after just 16 years is a wonderful achievement when you consider the long histories of the marathons staged in the other great cities in the top 10."
While the elites will spar for the overall marathon title, runners from Dubai-based companies such as Dubai Holding will all be determined to do well for a variety of reasons, including health and fitness.
Betis said: "This year's race marks 10 years of Dubai Holding's partnership with the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon in encouraging fitness not only among our employees but also among the wider community."
Last minute runners can still register in person at run number collection at Meydan on Thursday (January 21) from 10am to 5pm with payment by credit card only.
moni@khaleejtimes.com