Dubai: Haile Gebrselassie may have missed out on a world record on his last two visits to the emirate but the Ethiopian running legend has no hesitation in naming the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon as one of his five favourite long distance events.
Currently training in Addis Ababa for another tilt at his world best of 2h:03m:59s in Dubai on January 22, Gebrselassie was asked to name the five events that have a special place in his heart.
And the two-time Olympic champion was quick to name Dubai alongside marathons in London, Berlin and Japan.
"I've only raced in Dubai twice but it is one of my favourite events, no question," said Gebrselassie. "It's close to where I live and train so travelling isn't a problem. The weather is usually fantastic and the hospitality is incredible. But it is also a very good course and I am amazed the organisers can still put together a great route despite all the wonderful changes taking place in the city."
Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will see Gebrselassie return to one of his favourite venues in what will be the largest field ever seen in the $2 million (Dh7.34 million) race.
Best courses
"You know, everyone wants to race in Dubai," he added. "Everywhere I go after I've run there, athletes ask me ‘how do you get such a fast time? What's it like to run in Dubai?' Of all the races I run in the world, for me the two best courses are in Berlin and Dubai. These are places where you can make your own race."
Berlin has been the scene of his last two world records over the classic 42.195 km distance and it is understandable why he also named the German capital among his top five.
As a proud Ethiopian, there is no surprise ‘Geb' also names his home city of Addis Ababa in the top five.
Supported by Dubai Holding, Dubai Sports Council, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, ARN and DMI, TNT, Fitness First, Men's Fitness, Vittel Water, RTA, Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Emergency Services, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will take to the streets at 6.30am.
Although entries for the 10km have now closed, organisers are allowing late entrants for the marathon and 3km Fun Run to register online only up until tomorrow at www.dubaimarathon.org.
Top events: Hailes's fab five venues
- Dubai - "I've only raced in Dubai twice but it is one of my favourite events, no question. It's close to where I live and train so travelling isn't a problem. The weather is usually fantastic when we race and the hospitality is incredible. But it is also a very good course and I am amazed the organisers can still put together a great route despite all the changes taking place in the city.
- Berlin - "Berlin is a great city and I have won four in a row and broken the world record there so naturally it is one of my favourites."
- London - "Hopefully I can go there in 2012 and do something special in the Olympics."
- Addis Ababa - "I have to say Ethiopia as it is my home country and the Great Ethiopian Run in November means a great deal to me."
- Fukuoka - "I won the marathon there in 2006 and enjoyed the spirit and hospitality of the venue. It's a place I'd certainly like to go back to."
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