DUBAI Many Olympic hopefuls are expected to take part in the upcoming Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 22 with an eye on securing possible tickets to Rio 2016.
The long-distance athletic meet is a much-awaited event for them as it is for weekend runners – some 30,000 amateurs of various nationalities, ages and abilities have already signed up.
Organisers said with record prize-money, benign weather conditions and a flat route with few turns, it is a must-run event on the calendar of many of the world’s finest marathon runners. “And with this year’s marathon being the first major meeting in what is an Olympic year, an army of elites is jostling to take part and attempt to secure a fast time that will catch the eye of their country’s selection boards.”
Former champions
Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the Standard Charted Dubai Marathon will begin at 6.30am with the 10km road race hitting the starting line at 9am. The associated 4km fun run will round off the morning’s action with runners, joggers and walkers setting off at 11am.
Among the starters will be six former Dubai Marathon champions - three men and three women - including the 2012 winner Ayele Abshero, who will return to Dubai after he set the men’s course record of 2:04:23. Like Abshero, many fellow Ethiopians have been desperate to make sure of their place in Dubai as the city’s stock as a venue for world-class road running reaches new heights.
Consistently fast times throughout the field mean the race was the first in marathon history to have five sub-2:05 finishers, while it remains the only marathon ever to have five men in the same race cross the finish line in less than 2:05 in 2013.
Organisers said the goals are more modest for average runners. Personal best times, keeping fit and raising money for worthy causes are also among the top reasons to secure a starting place in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. “Expect Roman gladiators, cartoon characters, super heroes and even runners dressed entirely in animal suits to be spotted along the route as the day moulds itself into one huge sporting and social spectacle at the same time,” they added.
