Dubai: It was a hot chase for glory on a cold morning in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, which took off from the base of Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa yesterday. So intense was the race that two men and seven women shattered the course record.
Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia, making his debut in a marathon, completed the new course in just 2 hours 4 minutes and 23 seconds — the fourth-fastest time in history — followed by his countrymen Dino Sefir Kemal, who finished in 2:04.50 and Markos Geneti in 2:04.54.
The previous course record of 2:04.53 set by the legendary Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia in 2008, was beaten by all the top three.
The women's race was even more spectacular, with defending champion Aselefech Mergia racing to victory in just 2:19.31. She finished ahead of Lucy Kabuu, the only Kenyan to clinch a place among the first three.
Kabuu recorded 2:19.34, ahead of Ethiopia's Mare Dibaba (2:19.52). Four more women that followed broke the course record of 2:22.42 set by Berhane Adere of Ethiopia in 2008.
Fan contingent
Cheered by more than 7,000 Ethiopian fans, their runners stole the thunder in this marathon, which will be remembered as the quickest ever in the history of the event.
In the 10-km women's race, UAE's Bethlem Desalyn won in 34min 14sec, while Sahle Tekle from Eritrea won the men's 10k title in 28:47.
With 19,520 runners participating in the marathon, 10k and 3k runs, the race also broke the record for the highest participation.
The winners of the men and women's marathon will be richer by $250,000 (Dh918,170). "I have no idea what I will do with this huge cheque. Maybe I will sleep with it for a few days and then decide what to do with it," said Abeshero, who turned 21 last December.
Abshero began his bid for the greatest triumph of his life soon after the 38km mark while running alongside four runners. By the 40km mark he pushed far ahead of his rivals.
Mergia, who defended her title in the women's race, had to ward off a strong challenge from Kabuu.
"The last few kilometres were very tough because a lot of them were running close. Lucy kept overtaking me at times but at 41km I pushed as hard as I can and as soon as I found myself ahead I maintained the speed."
Being an Olympic year, every top performer here has staked their claim for a place in their country's squad for London. In fact, one of the reasons for the record-breaking timing is attributed to the runners' keenness to impress and win a place in the team for the Olympics.
Star attraction
Martin Lel, the star attraction of the Dubai Marathon, surprisingly finished 35th, while defending champion David Barmasai dropped out of the race.
Men's Marathon
2. Dino Sefir (ETH) 2:04:50,
3. Markos Geneti (ETH) 2:04:54,
4. Jonathan Maiyo (KEN) 2:04:56
5.Tadese Tola (ETH) 2:05:10
10-kilometre race
Men:
1. Tekele Sahle (ERI) 28:47
2. Kidane Abdi (ETH) 28.56
3. Dejen Feysa (ETH) 28.57
Women:
1. Bethlem Desalyn (UAE) 34.14
2. Emebet Adane (ETH) 34.44
3. Dehininet Jara (ETH) 34:49
Women's Marathon
1. Aselefech Mergia (ETH) 2:19:31
2. Lucy Kabuu (KEN) 2:19:34
3. Mare Dibaba (ETH) 2:19:52
4. Bezunesh Bekele (ETH) 2:20:30
5. Aberu Kebede (ETH) 2:20:33
