Dubai: The much-awaited Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is here again, though it will chart a new "course". Some of the best long distance runners from around the world have arrived here and sharp at 7am tomorrow, they will be taking on a new course starting near Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa.
This new course too has maintained Dubai's reputation as the world's flattest marathon course. With the weather expected to be ideal for a marathon and the runners keen to give their best with the impending selection to their Olympic teams, the course record of 2:04:53 set by the legendary Halle Gebrselassie of Ethiopia in 2008 is at stake. Even the women runners may shatter the course record of 2:22:42 set by Berhane Adere of Ethiopia in 2008.
Last year's winners
The defending men's and women's champions are here to once again prove that they are still the best. Last year, men's champion David Barmasai of Kenya is expected to face a tough time this year as the 13 men who have run faster than his personal best have arrived here. In fact, the biggest challenge for Barmasai will be from his countryman Martin Lel who had won the London Marathon in 2005, 2007 and 2008 and is still in top form having finished runner up in London last year.
Peter Connerton, director of the Dubai Marathon, said: "We have got the best long distance runners in the world. To have 12 runners who have all run below 2:07:00 is indeed great. This marathon has grown every year and we are thankful to Standard Chartered Bank for sponsoring this event for the eighth year."
Even the women's race is expected to be a keen contest. Last year's champion Aselefech Medessa of Ethiopia will have to overcome a strong challenge from the 2010 Dubai Marathon champion and compatriot Mamitu Daska who is coming back stronger. In the Frankfurt Marathon, Daska set a best of 2:21:59. There are also some excellent runners like Kenya's Lydia Cheromei and Ethiopia's Astede Baysa.
Fifteen minutes after the marathon start, the 10k race will commence and will be followed by the 3km Fun Run from 10.30am.
Speaking at a press conference which introduced the array of runners at the Palace Hotel yesterday, Jonathan Morris, Chief Executive Officer of the Standard Chartered Bank, said: "This is our eighth consecutive year as title sponsors and we are delighted to play a part in promoting health and fitness in the UAE. We are also happy that Dubai Marathon has become one of the key highlights of the social and sporting calendar in the region."
