Dubai: Dubai Creek Striders hosted the annual Johnson Arabia Dubai Creek Striders (DCS) Half Marathon for the 14th consecutive year on Friday at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, with the capacity 2,000 runner event won by Esmail Ssenyange in a record breaking 1 hour and seven minutes.
This was one minute faster than the record that Uganadan Ssenyange established last year at the same event.
The top female finisher was Anne Marie Hyrylainen in 1.19.11 seconds.
DCS established what has been dubbed the ‘world’s most beautiful half marathon’ in 2002 and once again this year the popular race was sold out.
“The Johnson Arabia Dubai Creek Striders Half Marathon is a race organised by runners for runners and we are proud of how the running community comes together to make this annual race a huge success. Once again, all the running clubs in Dubai and the UAE are well represented which is testament to the camaraderie and sportsmanship. In addition to the 2,000 participants, there were more than 100 marshals and volunteers who helped us deliver a top running event. We are immensely grateful to our sponsors and look forward to another wonderful race and hope that the Dubai community will come out to support the runners on the streets of Dubai.” said Margaret Rafferty, Chairperson of Dubai Creek Striders.
The racecourse through some of Dubai’s landmarks is what makes the popular half marathon ‘the world’s most beautiful half marathon’. Since its inception, the race has followed the same scenic figure-of-eight route over, under and around Dubai Creek.
From the start at the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, runners ran over Garhoud Bridge along Dubai Creek Park towards Maktoum Bridge heading to the Dhow Wharfages along the Deira side of the Creek. Another Creek crossing is made via the Shindagha pedestrian tunnel and from there it is a pleasant run past the Heritage Village, Ruler’s Court and British Embassy. Another pass ‘under and over’ Maktoum Bridge will take the runners to the final stretch back to the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club to complete 21.1km.