Multinational field expected for Dubai Marathon

The biggest and richest long-distance running event of its kind in the UAE, the 2005 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, will provide a multinational field of runners with a track that takes them past some of the most famous landmarks in the city.

Held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, the marathon will see the runners set off and finish under the shadows of the Emirates Towers and the Dubai World Trade Centre on January 7.

Before the leading runner crosses the finish line, a little over two hours later, the field will have covered a route taking in many of Dubai's architectural and geographical landmarks, including the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Heritage Village, Shaikh Saeed's House and the Emirates Training College.

"We are extremely grateful for the co-operation the event gets from the authorities in Dubai such as Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police and the other safety and security services," said Ray Ferguson, CEO, Standard Chartered Bank in the UAE, sponsors of the 2005 event.

"Dubai has become one of the most spectacular venues in the world for marathon running.

"A great deal of the credit goes to the authorities who make sure our elite field of runners are able to compete traffic-free on Dubai's clean and wide roads."

The runners will leave the Dubai World Trade Centre at 7 am and run by the Emirates Towers before heading into the city along the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road. They will then run alongside the Bur Dubai shore of the Creek before coming back in land to pass Shaikh Saeed's House and the Fishing and Heritage Village before crossing to Deira through Al Shindagha Tunnel.

On the other side of the Creek, they will pass the Hyatt Regency as they run alongside the Arabian Gulf and into the residential and business part of the route.

By just over the half-way mark, the route will see them on the road to the Dubai Cinema and the Clock Tower while the legendary 25-km wall will be hit among the stunning architecture of the Etisalat Tower and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce building. From there it will be a straight run-up to Deira City Centre and then along the Airport Road.

After passing the Aviation Club and the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, the competitors will cross Al Garhoud Bridge back into Bur Dubai and the kick for home will commence at the 35km mark near Wafi City.

Runners can register at any Standard Chartered Bank, online at www.dubaimarathon.org, or from the special booths and the Adidas store in Deira City Centre.