Dubai: If you happen to see a group of runners as early as 4.30am, then they could be runners from the Dubai Creek Striders.
This running club is gearing up for the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon with about 100 runners taking part on January 22.
"For the last four Fridays we were up and running at 4.30am. This time over 80 of our runners are set to run in the marathon, though I would like to have 100 runners taking part this year. About 10 runners will take part in the 10k too. We have been training regularly for the event," said Malcolm Murphy, the Striders' Chairman, who is one of the founder members of the Club and had lifted the trophy for the Largest Team in the Marathon by bringing home 63 runners in the 2009 event.
"The club grew up from just two runners to over 200 registered runners. It all began when Peter Larcombe and I decided to start running on Friday mornings from the World Trade Centre apartments.
"One Friday, we met a group of about four runners and we joined them on their run but on condition that they come and run with us over the Creek the following week," recalled Murphy.
"Today we have runners, most of whom are medium to long distance runners, and train throughout the year. The main long race most of them aim for is to participate in the Dubai Marathon in addition to our own annual half marathon which has grown to be one of the best half's in the region," added Murphy, who takes the initiative to work out a training plan for the runners.
"Our weekly training run is on Friday mornings from the car park opposite the Novotel. Starting times and distances vary depending on what we are training. We normally start around 6.30am and the minimum distance is approximately 15km but during our long marathon training runs, which go up to 35km, we would start much earlier. Runners check our web site www.dubaicreekstriders.com for the weekly run details or email me at Malcolm.murphy@murrob.ae," he said.
Along with the Dubai Marathon, Striders' half marathon too has grown in popularity. "Our half marathon really compliments the Dubai's full marathon. Following on many of our runners participate in other international events such as London and New York plus some ultra marathons such as South Africa's Two Oceans and Comrades," said Murphy, who has inspired his members by running in the Dubai Marathon 11 times.
"I did my first marathon in Dubai in 1998 when I was 50. I hope to finish my 11th Dubai marathon next Friday. I had run in all 12, but had to stop due to injury in one year. Jacques Rijkmans, who is one of the original four runners we met when we first started running in 1995 is the only runner who has participated in all the 12 editions of the Dubai Marathon," said Murphy, who has been instrumental in also introducing many runners.
"Antonio di Somma, is one runner who started running only in 2004 and in his first run with us I nearly had to carry him home after doing a 24km. Now he is one of the fastest in his age group (55 to 59) in the world marathon coming first in New York and London," revealed Murphy, who is delighted at the increasing number of runners every year.
"The growth in running in Dubai over the years has been incredible with our numbers increasing every week with new runners who have heard about our Friday runs. Training for a marathon on your own is extremely difficult and very lonely. With a club you get the feeling of comradeship with all runners of whatever ability providing support to one another. We have trebled our numbers over the last three years," he concluded.
Huge rush: Entries close early
An unprecedented rush to take part in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 22 has resulted in the organisers closing entries much before the due date.
"We have crossed the 17,000 mark in the number of entries for all the events in the Dubai Marathon and hence decided to close the entries early," said Ahmad Al Kamali, the General Co-ordinator of the Dubai Marathon and President of the UAE Athletics Federation.
"We were forced to close the entries considering the safety aspect. We cannot have more than 17,000 running within such an area. We already have made arrangements for 15 ambulances and three helicopter ambulances to monitor the runners. Any increase in number would need more ambulances and water facilities to be arranged at the different points. It is unfortunate that we had to turn away a few runners. So from next year onwards I would like runners to register early for this event," added Kamali.
All race numbers can be collected on January 20 and 21 from 9 am to 9pm.
