Merga all set to compete in Dubai Marathon

Dubai: Ethiopian Deriba Merga will be looking to underline his growing racing maturity when he joins a strong line-up at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 27.

Merga's rise to international prominence saw him win the Boston Marathon in 2009, as well as claiming a fourth-place finish at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

With a marathon personal best of 2h 6m 38s set in London in 2008, Merga will be among the quickest men in a field that also features five-time major winner Martin Lel of Kenya. And, after winning the 2011 Half Marathon in Ras Al Khaimah, the Ethiopian is keen on taking another step up in the UAE and trying his hand at the Dubai Marathon — the region's first Iaaf Gold Label race.

"Speaking to Deriba in Ethiopia last month, it was obvious how keen he is to compete in Dubai," said Event Director Peter Connerton, who has pulled together a world-class field for the $1 million race. "He has waited for this chance for a long time and he is determined to improve on his personal best and challenge for the title."

Staged 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 under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Marathon will see the field start from outside The Pavilion, Downtown Dubai, opposite the Burj Khalifa.

Runners looking to compete in the marathon, the 10km or the 3km Fun Run can register online at www.dubaimarathon.org.