Dubai: The build-up to next year’s Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has begun with thousands signing up for the event following the launch of online runner registration for the race.

With more than 25,000 expected to take part in the marathon, the 10km and the 4km Fun Run, the 2015 edition is set to see the biggest field in the event’s history.

Already more than 5,000 have signed up online at www.dubaimarathon.org, with thousands more expected to take part on January 23.

In the 2014 race, Tsegaye Mekonnen Asefa and Mula Seboka made it an Ethiopian clean sweep, with Tsegaye coming home in a new world junior record time of 2hr 4min 32sec to win the men’s title, while Seboka claimed the ladies’ crown in 2:25.01. Both athletes returned home with a winner’s cheque of $200,000.

“The race may still be over four months away, but we are already seeing a large number of athletes going online to register for the various categories,” Event Director Peter Connerton said.

“We’re always delighted to welcome the best up-and-coming long distance runners to Dubai — the past three male winners have all won the race on their marathon debuts — but equally as important are the many thousands of everyday runners looking to set a personal best.”

As well as being the richest event of its kind in the world, the Dubai Marathon was the first Middle East marathon to be awarded Gold Label status by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and boasts a set of winning times that make it one of the fastest races in the world.

“As title sponsor, we are delighted to continue partnering with the event organisers to stage this flagship sporting event in the UAE,” said Mohsin Nathani, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank in the UAE.

The 2015 route will be similar to 2014, with a few minor alterations to allow for the ongoing development of Dubai’s roads and traffic infrastructure.

Full details of the route will be announced shortly, but the race will again concentrate on the area around the Dubai Police College and Jumeirah Beach Road.

For those looking to take part, registrations are only being accepted online at www.dubaimarathon.org.