Route changed to avoid areas under construction

Dubai: The course for the Standard Chartered Dubai marathon has undergone a 10 per cent change, revealed Paul Hodgson, the International Road Race Administrator and course measurement official.

"We have revised the route taking into consideration the ongoing construction work in the city. We made the changes to make it comfortable for the runners," added Hodgson with 18 years of experience as a course measurer.

"The start and finish line until last year was in the vicinity of the Emirates Towers. There is a lot of construction work in that area now. So we've shifted it to the Zabeel Park area. We feel that the Zabeel Park area is comfortable as it provides better access to the participants and also has good car parking facilities," he said.

Hodgson is delighted at the growth of Dubai Marathon. "This is my 10th year here. I came here first in 1998 when we decided to stage the marathon for the first time. I conducted the preliminary investigation.

"It took off slowly and today I am proud of the fact that it is among the best marathons in the world," said Hodgson, who has also seen the enormous changes to the roads every year.

"With the support from the Standard Chartered Bank and many others we could transform this marathon into the richest race. We have even managed to bring get the world champion to run here.

"The Dubai Marathon has grown from strength to strength every year. I hope the course would go on to create a new world record."

"We have revised the route taking into consideration the construction work in the city. We have shifted the start and finish area to the Zabeel Park Gate six vicinity."