This year’s RAK Half Marathon on the northern shores of the UAE promises fast times and fierce contests in both the men’s and women’s categories, and Friday, February 15 marks the perfect day for a road trip to Ras Al Khaimah to see the sights, as well as take part in the action yourself along the 21.1km course.
Registration is open for interested athletes in the Junior (girls and boys 15-17), Open (men and women 18-44) and Master (men and women 40-99) categories.
This race is known for having five times recorded sub-60 minute male winners, and only strong winds last year slowed times. But organisers are expecting normal conditions this year, so expect to enjoy a fast race.
The standing women’s world record was set here in 2011 by Mary Keitany (65:50), while the men’s course record of 58:52 was set by Patrick Makau in 2009.
This year’s race features the likes of 2010 winner Geoffrey Mutai, who returns knowing his victory in 59:43 helped cement his status as the world’s most successful marathon racer of the last three years.
Stephen Kibet of Kenya, who is now ranked the world No2 with a time of 58:54, will also be in action alongside fellow countrymen Ezekiel Chebii, the winner in Lille last September (59:05), and Pius Maio Kirop, Berlin winner last April (59:25).
Amongst the Ethiopians will be Feyisa Lelisa, winner at Houston in 2012 (59:22) and who has already retained that title this year, as well as Getu Feleke, fourth here 12 months ago and subsequently second in the Rotterdam Marathon in a time of 2:04:50.
The women’s elite field is also impressive with Turkey’s Elvan Abeylegesse, who after giving birth is now showing similar form to that which saw her win here three years ago in 67:07; the fastest woman on paper, Florence Kiplagat (66:38), who can boast great 10,000m speed (second fastest in the world in 2012 with 30:24) as well as a marathon runner’s strength – she won Berlin in 2011 in 2:19:44; 2012 Olympic marathon silver medallist Priscah Jeptoo; Lucy Wangui Kabuu, another member of the sub-2:20 marathon club; and former track star Meselech Melkamu of Ethiopia, making her debut in RAK.
The total prize and bonus monies offered is well over $250,000 (Dh917,500), so there’s all to run for, and there’s still time to earn yourself a slice of it if you think you’ve got what it takes.
There will be a race bus departing from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai on the morning of the event.
The Abu Dhabi bus will depart from the ‘taxi stand’ in the car park of Marina Mall at 3am, it will head out of Abu Dhabi and pass by Etihad Plaza where it will make a pick up from outside the Abela Supermarket at 3.30am before heading to RAK.
The Dubai bus will depart initially from outside the Dubai Garden Center on Sheikh Zayed Road at 4.10am and then from outside the main gate of the Irish Village at 4.30am. Return buses will depart RAK at 11.45am (earlier if completely full, but no later than 12pm).
WHAT: RAK Half Marathon 2013
WHERE: The start and finish is next to Manar Mall in Ras Al Khaimah
WHEN: Friday, February 15. Race starts 7am
CONTACT: Visit www.rakmarathon.org or premiermarathons.com for registration.
PAST WINNERS (Men | women)
2007 – Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) 58:53 (WR) | Birhan Adere (ETH) 70:58
2008 – Patrick Makau (KEN) 59:35 | Salina Kosgei (KEN) 72:29
2009 – Patrick Makau (KEN) 58:52 | Dire Tune (ETH) 67:18
2010 – Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) 59:43 | Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR)
2011 – Deriba Merga (ETH) 59:25 | Mary Keitany (KEN) 65:50 (WR)
2012 – Dennis Koech (KEN) 60:40 | Mary Keitany (KEN) 66:42
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