Dubai: UAE's Ayoob Salman emerged as the new 10km Samsung Running Festival champion.

Breasting the tape in 31m.22 seconds, Ayoob pushed last year's winner Mubarak Rehane of Morocco, to second place.

Mubarak finished in 32m.05 seconds ahead of his country man Hicham Limouze. Hicham finished third in 33m.00 seconds.

"I am the winner today because of my consistent training. Every day, I train twice for one hour and 30 minutes, covering a distance of 30 kilometres. My next goal is to win the January 6 Dubai Marathon 10km title too," announced Ayoob, who works in the Logistics Department of the UAE Army in Abu Dhabi.

Mubarak, who failed to retain his title, revealed that he lost mainly due to tiredness.

"I had won the Dubai half marathon last week and my legs were a bit heavy today. I will prove to be a champion again on January 6 by winning the Dubai Marathon 10km," announced Mubarak, who is coached by Ahmad Bada of Zayed University in Abu Dhabi.

"Mubarak runs 140km every week and will soon regain his lost glory," assured Bada.

Hicham, who finished third is pleased with his performance.

"I run for hobby and this is my first race. I had finished third in the McDonalds run in Dubai last October. I will work harder and clinch higher positions soon," said Hicham, who also works with the UAE army but is based in Sharjah. Over 20,000 runners took part in the second edition of this festival.

The women's 10km was also keenly fought with the first three finishing in 40 minutes. Unfortunately, the organisers failed to record the timings.

Anna Berrill of England finished first.

"It was a perfect morning. I took the lead after the 5km and I enjoyed my race," said Anna, who had won the Dubai Half Marathon last Friday and also won the Abu Dhabi Half Marathon three weeks back.

Clare Constable, who lives in Ras Al Khaimah finished second.

"I am a 400m hurdles runner and had represented Britain in 1994. I also enjoy triathlon, so 10km was a different experience to me and I am happy, I won it," said Clare, who works in the gymnasium of the Tower Links Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah.

"I come from a sports family. My husband is the manger of the Tower Links Golf Club. In Surrey my parents and even brother takes part in running," said Clare, who is the mother to two boys. Vicky Thorpe of New Zealand clinched the third place.

"I have come to Dubai only nine months ago and I am delighted with my performance in my first race," said Vicky, who is a personal trainer at the Nautilus Academy.