The director of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon says the 2015 event will have one of the strongest fields of competitors ever.
Peter Connerton has hailed the impressive depth of the entry list after two-time event winner and course record holder Aselefech Mergia Medessa became the latest name added to the world-class field of women’s athletes.
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The Ethiopian will hit the streets of the UAE city for the world’s richest marathon on January 23.
Aselefech won the 2011 Dubai Marathon and won one of the most famous women’s marathons in history when she took the 2012 Dubai title in a time of two hours, 19 minutes, 31 seconds.
She will be joined by fellow Ethiopian Mulu Seboka Seyfu, who is the reigning Dubai Marathon champion and 2014 Toronto Marathon winner.
Another Ethiopian, 2014 Frankfurt Marathon winner Shewaye Aberu Kebede, is part of a stellar cast that also includes Kenyan duo Lucy Kabuu, who finished just three seconds behind Aselefech in 2012, and marathon debutant Gladys Cherono Keprono, who is the reigning Half Marathon world champion.
“It is without doubt one of the strongest fields we have ever had,” said Connerton. “The depth of quality in the field is impressive and I’m sure Aselefech will be determined to join her compatriot, the legendary Haile Gebrselassie, as a three-time winner of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.”
