Dubai marathon expects record breaking field

Sport360 staff 10:58 18/09/2014
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  • Defending men's champion: Tsegaye Mekonnen Asefa.

    The 2015 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is likely to see the biggest field in its history, with organisers expecting over 25,000 runners across the three races next January.

    Over 5,000 runners have already signed up online at www.dubaimarathon.org with thousands more expected as the clock ticks down to the starting gun on January 23, 2015.

    In January this year, Tsegaye Mekonnen Asefa and Mula Seboka made it an Ethiopian clean sweep, with the former coming home in a new world junior record time of 2:04.32 to win the men’s title, while the latter claimed the ladies crown in a time of 2:25.01.

    Both athletes took home a cheque of $200,000 (Dh734,000) each.

    “The race may still be over four months away but we are already seeing a large number of athletes going online to register for the various categories,” said event director Peter Connerton.

    “We’re always delighted to welcome the best up-and-coming long distance runners to Dubai – the past three male winners have all won the race on their marathon debuts – but equally as important are the many thousands of everyday runners looking to set a personal best.”

    As well as being the richest event of its kind in the world, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon was the first Middle East marathon to be awarded the Gold Label status by the International Association of Athletics Federations and boasts a set of winning times that makes it one of the fastest races in the world.

    Many of the biggest names have cut their marathon teeth in Dubai and event sponsors Standard Chartered are again looking forward to a memorable event in what is their 11th year as title sponsor.

    “As title sponsor, we are delighted to continue partnering with the event organisers to stage this flagship sporting event in the UAE,” said Mohsin Nathani, chief executive officer, Standard Chartered Bank, UAE.

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