Ten years without break

It was a special day for two Dubai-based marathon runners.

Forty-six-year-old Jacques Rijkmans created history in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday. He has participated in the Dubai Marathon for 10 years on the trot and completed that race too.

Then again, 59-year-old Malcolm Murphy too had participated for 10 years, but managed to finish the run only nine times.

"Last year, I took part, but could not complete the run due to an injury," said Murphy after finishing in 4 hours and 18 minutes this year. Rijkmans, who hails from South Africa and is a Dubai resident for the past 12 years, said: "I am happy that I could do it for 10 years. My best timing was in 3:28 in 2002. Marathon running keeps me fit."Both Rijkmans and Murphy are members of the Dubai Creek Striders Running Club, where Murphy is the chairman and they run every Friday. "I will run next year too if I am in Dubai and not on an official tour," assured Rijkmans, who works for a pharmaceutical company.

Sudhir Kumar, an employee with Morison Menon Chartered Accountants, has taken part in the 10-km run for six consecutive years.