Dubai Marathon kicks off next Friday

posted on 26/01/2012: 31 views

As over 15,000 runners take to the streets of the emirate for the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday (January 27), hundreds of government officials will work to ensure a safe and secure route will lead them to the finish line.

Held under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council and enjoys the support of a number of hard working government bodies.

In a news conference, Ahmed Al-Kamali, member of the organizing committee of the event and Chairman of the UAE Athletic Federation, expressed thanks for Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for supporting the world's richest marathon which he said "became among the region's biggest and most important sports event." This week, last minute preparations are currently underway with policemen and women from Dubai Police's Protection and Security, CID and Traffic departments working hand in hand to keep the city centre moving smoothly alongside the biggest mass participation sporting event in the Middle East, he said.

Joining them are representatives of Dubai Ambulance Service, the RTA, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Health Authority who will work with the event's organizing team with special emphasis on the marathon itself which will take the athletes from the start at The Pavilion, Downtown Dubai to the south of Jumeirah Beach Road and back.

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is supported by The Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Holding, "Official Outfitter" adidas, Emaar, Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, Sport 360, TNT, Fitness First, Plan B and by government departments Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Municipality DHA and the Dubai Ambulance Services.

The cream of world distance running has gathered in the UAE hoping for victory in the 2012 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday (January 27).

Last year's men's champion David Barmasai returns to defend his crown against thirteen men who have all run quicker than the 2011 winner's personal best at the classic 42.195km distance.

Among them is Martin Lel, the flying Kenyan who is back in top form after a spell on the sidelines through injury. The 33 year-old - last year's runner-up in the London Marathon - has five marathon major titles to his name thanks to a record-equalling hat-trick of victories in London (2005, 2007 and 2008) and a brace in New York (2003 and 2007).

With a personal best of 2:05:15, Lel has the credentials to win on his debut in the world's richest marathon this week but he won't have it all his own way in a race that offers both the men and women's champion a cheque for $250,000 and is held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai and staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council.

A dozen other men have bettered Barmasai's 2011 mark of 2:07:18, including Ethiopian's Bazu Worku (2:05:25), former World Youth Champion Markos Geneti (2:06:35) and 2009 Boston Marathon champion Deriba Merga (2:06:38).

Not to be outdone, great rivals Kenya also have title ambitions in the shape of Lel, Gilbert Yegon (2:06:18) and Elijah Keitany (2:06:41). - Emirates News Agency, WAM

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