Former women’s champion Tirfi Tsegaye Beyene is the latest star to line up in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, organisers confirmed on Sunday.
The 31-year-old Ethiopian won her first Dubai Marathon in 2013 with a time of a time of two hours, 23 minutes and 23 seconds and will be one of the elite competitors to take to the streets on January 22.
Having also triumphed in Porto (2008), Paris (2012) as well as Tokyo and Berlin in 2014, clocking a personal best of two hours, 20 minutes and 18 seconds in the latter, Beyene will again be one of the favourites for victory in the race.
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Next year will have more significance as athletes prepare for the Rio Olympics. And Dubai Marathon organisers are delighted by Beyene’s participation.
“The demand to compete in Dubai remains as high as ever but it is always pleasing to welcome back former winners of the event,” said Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon event director Peter Connerton.
“The course is always flat and fast, which is a major factor in an Olympic year as the athletes target Rio 2016.
“Since winning in Dubai, Tsegaye has enjoyed a very successful spell, including back-to-back marathon wins in Tokyo and Berlin in the space of seven months so we expect her to be a key figure in next month’s race.”
She joins her compatriot Tsegaye Kebede with the 2008 bronze Olympic medalist lining up in the men’s category.
It is the first and only race in history to have the top five men finish under two hours and five minutes and the first to have three women complete the course in sub-two hours and 20 minutes.
General co-ordinator, IAAF Council Member and UAE Athletics Federation president Ahmed Al Kamali added: “The records over the past five years are there for all to see and underline the incredible strength in depth and overall quality throughout the elite field at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.
“But while we are focused on providing a world-class event for the elites, we are equally determined to provide the best marathon
experience for amateur runners as well as those who simply like to get outdoors and join us for the Fun Run.”
While the elites will line up with ambitious amateurs for the traditional marathon distance of 42.195km, places are still available in the popular 10km event and the 4km Fun Run.
Runners can sign up by registering through the official website www.dubaimarathon.org.
