If seeing elite athletes run 21 kilometres in under an hour is your thing, then look no further than this weekend’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, which will be run around the streets of the northern emirate Friday morning.
Indeed the RAK Half Marathon is regarded as one of the quickest races out there, with world records being smashed by both men and women regularly since 2007. And if it’s speedy runners you’re after, then Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai is definitely the standout athlete, having run the fastest marathon in history at the Boston Marathon 11 months ago.
Unfortunately for Mutai, the time is not recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federation as a world record, since the Boston course does not meet the criteria to be eligible for the mark. But Mutai comes into the race in excellent form, and fresh from a comfortable 82-second winning margin in a preparatory run (63:53) in the San Blas Half Marathon on February 5.
Indeed his place on Kenya’s London 2012 Marathon team is not yet confirmed, so there’s plenty of motivation for the 30-year-old to try and dip below the hour mark in RAK once again.
It’s not just the men’s field that boasts some elite runners. Mary Keitany’s stunning 65:50 world half marathon record of last year redressed the balance of the slow first two women’s editions of the race, with each subsequent lady’s contests getting quicker than the last.
Keitany starts as women’s favourite on Friday, aiming for something around 67 minutes, but with the London Marathon in late April as her main objective, she too hopes to secure Olympic team selection at the full 42.2km distance. RAK, therefore, is a vital indicator of form with nine weeks to go.
Pacemakers will be present for the field of over 3,000 at they set off at 07:00 on Friday, opposite the City Hotel, and at the end of the Manar Mall car park next to the Carrefour sign.
The course sees athletes head down to the Police Officers Club, Al Nahda Street, the Ruler’s Palace, RAK Hospital, back to the Ruler’s Palace, and back to the start/finish line. So get out and support the athletes – the start/finish line is usually the best viewing place – and maybe you can be witness to yet another world record.
WHAT: 2012 RAK Half Marathon, featuring some of the world’s fastest long-distance athletes.
WHEN: Friday, February 17, 7am.
WHERE: Ras Al Khaimah, with the start line opposite the City Hotel.
Sport360° VERDICT: One of the fastest races in the world, and with London 2012 places up for grabs, get out and give these elite athletes the support they deserve.
CONTACT: www.rakmarathon.org
