Dubai: Berhane Adere of Ethiopia, who broke the Dubai Marathon course record to win in 2:22.42 last year, wants to set another mark and emerge as the winner.
"I have prepared very well putting in a lot of effort but if I have to win again I would need luck," remarked Adere to Gulf News.
"Last year, though I won through my hard effort, I feel luck too played a big part. I need luck to win again," she added.
"I started my training for this year with a clear plan. I may not compete in Berlin but I will go for the Chicago Marathon after a month," said Adere, who recorded her best in Chicago in 2006, clocking 2:20.42.
"I am confident of a good timing here. I trained in Ethiopia before coming here and so I feel very nice. The weather seems nice but since I arrived very late night yesterday I woke up late too and could not get a feel of the morning weather," said Adere, who at 35 looks trim and fit.
Adere will have to overcome a strong challenge from her compatriot Askale Tafa Magarsa, who had won the Dubai Marathon in 2007. She is competing in Dubai for the third time.
Askale is also in brilliant form having finished as runner up in the Berlin Marathon with a personal best of 2:21:31.
Incidentally, seven top Ethiopian women runners have landed here to challenge Adere and Askale.
Bezunesh Bekele Sertsu, who finished runner up in Dubai last year is hoping to win this time. Though her personal best is 2:223.09, which she set in Dubai last year, she has been performing brilliantly in World Racing Championship.
