Dubai is the place to make breakthroughs: Radcliffe

Dubai - Paula Radcliffe, who is a world record holder in the women's marathon, was in Dubai as a commentator

Dubai has been a platform for many newcomers. So was the case on Friday when unknown runners Mosinet Geremew and Roza Dereje, both from Ethiopia, won the 19th edition of the Dubai Marathon.
Paula Radcliffe, who is a world record holder in the women's marathon, was in Dubai as a commentator.
Talking about Dubai throwing up new champions every year, she said: "It is very good, because it shows that Dubai is the place to come if you want to make that breakthrough and establish yourself on the road running scene or marathon scene."
On whether the world record could have been achieved, Radcliffe added: "Maybe it did not happen because they were slightly too fast at some stages in the first half and also because there were so many still together. Then it can be a little of a big effort to win the race.
"If there was only one guy on his own he could push a little bit harder to try and get closer to the world record," she said. "But, when they were running together they started to watch each other and started to make sure they won the race rather than go for the record," added the 44-year-old.
Summing up the marathon, she said: "I think both the races were very impressive and very fast and Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is known for a very fast course. People come here in shape to race, and we saw two contrasting styles.
"The men's race was a bit of a cat and mouse and then reaching the line was very exciting. The women's acceleration in the last ten kilometers was excellent."
Coming to defending champion Tamirat Tola who had a minor collision and finished third, she said: "I think in the 35km it might have played a role. He was impeded and stumbled and he lost his momentum and probably it shook him a little bit mentally. I don't think physically he suffered any damage but it was not intentional, but it also did not help his race."
clareto@khaleejtimes.com