$1m bonus for marathon runner breaking world record tomorrow

Dubai: The sponsors of the Dubai Marathon have announced a bonus of $1 million (Dh3.67 million) to the runner, who breaks the world record at the Dubai Marathon tomorrow.

"We are ready with $1 million if the world record is broken here," said Khalid Al Shafar of Dubai Holding.

The Dubai Marathon, one of the richest races in the world, offers total prize money of $2 million.

The winners in both the men and women categories pocket $250,000 and the runners-up take home $100,000 each.

Standard Chartered Bank is supporting the event for the fifth successive year.

"For us the association with the Dubai Marathon has been very rewarding. We are proud to be associated with this event, which is now becoming one of the premier international events in the world," said Mahendra Gursahani, the Chief Financial Officer, Standard Chartered Bank. "Now is the time people are faced with personal challenges. You get to read a lot of bad news, but this is great news.

"This is about the community and the people of Dubai coming together to support a very good cause. It is not just about the race but it is about the whole lifestyle issues around it," he added.

The Dubai Sports Council, Road Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Police are supporting the event.

Huge grandstands have been erected around the Westin Hotel for entertainment as well as the prize giving ceremony.