Dubai: The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has become the biggest participation sporting event in the UAE, with the number of entries increasing at a tremendous pace every year.
“Over 30,000 will be running in Dubai Marathon this year and most of them will have at least two to three people coming out to support or watch them run. So potentially there will be around 100,000 people. There is no event where such a large number comes out on one morning for a sporting event,” Event Director Peter Connerton told Gulf News.
“It is an event where everyone can run, all nationalities, men and women. The economic impact of this event is also huge, with lots of people from abroad arriving here for the event.”
Connerton says his biggest challenge is to ensure that the event continues to be held in the centre of Dubai — despite the city’s rapid growth.
“We have got used to changing the course to keep pace with the growth of the city. Though the city is growing fast, we will never take the event to the outskirts of Dubai,” he said.
“The marathon will always be in Dubai city and that is what is called a big city marathon. In London, Berlin and New York — everywhere — it is held in the city. It must be central because it shows off the city and it is about the city.”
Connerton added he is delighted by the growth of the event, which has attracted international attention.
“Dubai Marathon is now very famous. We are number two in records and we will eventually be No 1 in the average time of the top runners,” he said.
“From the day we started increasing our record, the focus is on us. We are fortunate to have great weather at this time and a very flat course and a superb surface. The Roads And Transport Authority has done a great job with the roads and the athletes love it. They all want to run here because they know that they can run faster.”
The Dubai Marathon takes place on January 23.
