DUBAI When 32-year-old Dennis Sumner prepares to run at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon this Friday, he is certain to grab everyone’s attention.
Running with a gas mask, the British national is raising funds for a charity and also eyeing a record.
“I am running the marathon in a gas mask to raise money for a charity which supports and helps people with Motor Neurone Disease (MDNA). I would also like to raise awarness as it affects our families and friends,” said Sumner.
“I was also looking at records to beat and came across the record for running a marathon in a gas mask. The current record is three hours and 28 minutes. It kind of began from there,” he added.
Sumner is an aircraft engineer in the British Royal Air Force on loan to the Royal Saudi Air Force based in Saudi Arabia. He has already raised £1,100 with more donations coming in everyday.
Third marathon
“This will be my third marathon. I completed Liverpool UK in three hours and 20 minutes and Manchester UK in three hours and 10 minutes. My goal is to finish the Dubai Marathon in less than three hours and 28 minutes and try to break the world record,” he said.
Running for the first time in Dubai, Sumner said: “I am looking forward to the Dubai Marathon as I love Dubai and the flat course will make it hopefully easier to break the record. I have heard great things about the Dubai marathon and I’m very excited.”
Scheduled to get underway on Umm Suqeim Road outside the Dubai Police Academy, the marathon – and associated 10km Road Race and 4km Fun Run – will attract the largest field ever seen in the 16-year history of the IAAF Gold Label event.
