Dubai: The number of nationalities registering for the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon run, which takes place on Friday, is increasing enormously. From 70 nationalities in 2000, last year it touched 149.
And organisers, with world records in mind, want to keep it growing.
Speaking to Gulf News, the Event Director of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, Peter Connerton, said: “Everyone runs for a world record. If we get one here it is nice but we are looking for more athletes running longer, running faster and breaking the course records. We have seen it being broken in a consistent manner. Maybe one day we may get a world record.”
The organisers make all efforts to make conditions comfortable for the runners every year. “Temperatures are normally 13 to 14 celsius and this time we are starting half an hour earlier which gives half an hour out of the sun and that is important. So between the dark in the first half, hopefully it will be only 15 or 16 degrees at the finish.”
With participation increasing every year, he added: “It is time we went out and promoted internationally because marathon event numbers are growing around the world.”
“With 2016 being an Olympic year, there is the added incentive for the elites in the shape of national selection for Rio 2016. Posting a fast time here could be a stepping stone to the Olympics.”
The Dubai Marathon has given a huge boost to Standard Chartered Bank’s global initiative to tackle avoidable blindness and visual impairment through their Seeing is Believing programme. “The target is to raise $100 milllion (Dh367 million) for the programme by 2020, $82million has been raised so far since 2003.”
Julian Wynter, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, UAE 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 twelfth year for Standard Chartered sponsoring the Marathon, which is a testimony of being here for the long run, here for good.”
