Leading marathon runners Aselefech Mergia and Mare Dibaba are just some of the stars lining up for this weekend’s Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.
Mergia, who celebrates her 33rd birthday on Tuesday, is the one to beat, having won the UAE’s flagship race three times, setting course records in the process, with an impressive time of 2:19:31. This will be her first Dubai Marathon since her last victory back in 2015.
Challenging her is defending world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Worknesh Degefa, who will be relishing the battle for the $200,000 first prize. Competition between the two should be fierce with Mergia and Dibaba boasting personal bests of 2:19:31 and 2:19:52 respectively.
Mapped out: The 2018 route.
In the men’s race, defending champion Tamirat Tola will be leading the way in a field of runners who will all be looking to beat his record time of 2:04:11, set at last year’s event. Over 30,000 other competitors will be joining the Ethiopian runners along the 42.195km route.
Tola’s victory last year was the 10th fastest marathon time ever recorded.
“It’s a great compliment to Dubai that Tamirat has decided to run in January and not compete in the London Marathon in April,” said Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon race director Peter Connerton. “He is a wonderful young talent and at 26 has many great years ahead of him, which is why so many race directors would like him in their line-up. The fact he believes he can attack our course again in January and secure yet another personal best can only be good for the event.”
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the Marathon will be run in conjunction with a 10km Road Race and a 4km Fun Run.
Fans looking to attend the event are urged to get to take their seats early with prime viewing locations along Jumeirah Beach Road on offer, easily accessible from Al Wasl Road direction. There will also be two grandstands at the finish area with free seating on a first-come first-served basis. Spectators can track a particular runner using the participant’s race number by logging on dubaimarathon.org. Parking for the event is extremely limited and public transport is advised.
WHAT: Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon
WHERE: Start and finish by Madinat Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim Road.
WHEN: January 26. Start Times: 6:00am – Marathon Wheelchair & Elites. 7.00am Marathon Masses. 9:00am – 10km Road Race for Men & Women. 11:00am – 4km Fun Run for Men & Women
CONTACT: For more information visit dubaimarathon.org.
