January 21st, 2010

Record Field For World’s Richest Marathon As Gebrselassie Hunts Third Straight Win

Over 12,000 Runners To Tackle New-Look Route

Dubai, (UAE): More than 12,000 runners are expected to line up in three races when the 2010 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon gets underway on Friday (Jan 22) led by defending men’s champion and world record holder Haile Gebrselassie and last year’s women’s winner Bezenush Bekele.

The US$ 2 million event has attracted a record field of participants, many of whom have flown in from all corners of the globe to compete alongside the likes of Gebrselassie, Bekele, Sammy Korir and Askale in the 42.195km premier race on the card.

The Marathon itself will go under the starter’s gun at 6.30am with the 10km race scheduled to take to the streets fifteen minutes later at 6.45am. The popular 3km Fun Run will get underway at 11am.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the event once again offers a total prize purse of US$1 million with the added incentive to the elites of a bonus cheque of US$1 million bonus for a new world record, courtesy of Dubai Holding. First prize in both the men and women’s marathon is US$250,000.

It’s the third year in a row Dubai Holding has put up the million-dollar bonus and spectators will be hoping it’s a case of third-time-lucky as Gebrselassie – who currently holds the world record of 2h:03m:59s – can finally break that world best on the streets of a course considered by many experts to be the flattest marathon course in the world.

In 2008, the Ethiopian legend clocked 2:04:53 – then the second fastest time in history – while in the rain of 2009 Gebrselassie recorded a time of 2:05:27 that was the eighth best in history at the time.

For the third consecutive year, the runners will face another different route, although not by much, as ongoing construction work has forced event organisers to bring the marathon and 10km race routes to a new finish line opposite the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre.

“Naturally, we are delighted not only to have our two reigning champions back to defend their crowns but also to have the support of record entries in all three categories,” said Event General Co-ordinator Ahmed Al Kamali.

“None of this would be possible without the encouragement and support of our patron His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the backing of our title sponsors Standard Chartered, our prize-money sponsors Dubai Holding and all our other corporate partners.”

The 2010 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will mark the sixth year in a row of Standard Chartered’s sponsorship.

“Standard Chartered continues to support marathons in many different parts of the world but the race in Dubai is very close to all of us working in this region,” said Standard Chartered Regional CEO, MENA Region Shayne Nelson.

“It is a wonderful occasion for people of all ages, creeds, nationalities and abilities to run together either for their own health or for charitable causes. Running in either the 3km Seeing Is Believing Fun Run, the 10km or the Marathon itself is just one way we can encourage the public to lead a healthier lifestyle. We firmly believe in the initiatives of the Dubai Government in getting the people of Dubai fit and healthy.”

As well as Gebrselassie, other leading male runners include Kenyan trio Sammy Korir (personal best 2:04:56), Shadrack Kiplagat (2:07:53) and Daniel Yego (2:08:16). In the women’s field, defending champion Bekele – who won in a personal best 2:23:09 twelve months ago – will face a mighty challenge from fellow Ethiopian and former champion Askale Tafa Magarsa (personal best 2:21:31) and Helena Kirop (2:25:01) also of Ethiopia.

“While the race will again start from just up the Al Sufouh Road outside the Westin Hotel, we urge all runners to check their maps for the race routes,” said Event Director Peter Connerton. “We would also advise those coming by road to come early enough and park in Dubai Media City where there will be plenty of parking spaces.

“Once again, we have a flat route with plenty of water and energy drinks available at every 5km mark from 5-40km. To assist all our runners, the rout is completely closed to traffic with intermediary drink stations available approximately half way between each main drink station. Sponges will be available after each main drink station, medical points will be in place 200m after each drink station and toilets are set up every 5km from the 10-40km.”

Registered runners in all three categories can collect their run numbers and other information from race HQ at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina on Thursday (Jan 21) from 9am-9pm. No numbers will be issued on the day of the race.

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is supported by Dubai Holding, Dubai Sports Council, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, ARN and DMI, TNT, Fitness First, Men’s Fitness, Plan B, Vittel Water, RTA, Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Emergency Services.

About Standard Chartered:

Standard Chartered PLC, listed on both London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, ranks among the top 25 companies in the FTSE-100 by market capitalisation. The London-headquartered Group has operated for over 150 years in some of the world’s most dynamic markets, leading the way in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its income and profits have more than doubled over the last five years primarily as a result of organic growth and supplemented by acquisitions.

Standard Chartered aspires to be the best international bank for its customers across its markets. The Group derives more than 90 per cent of its operating income and profits from Asia, Africa and the Middle East, generated from its Wholesale and Consumer Banking businesses. The Group has over 1600 branches and outlets located in over 70 countries. The extraordinary growth of its markets and businesses creates exciting and challenging international career opportunities.

Leading by example to be the right partner for its stakeholders, the Group is committed to building a sustainable business over the long term and is trusted worldwide for upholding high standards of corporate governance, social responsibility, environmental protection and employee diversity. It employs more than 70,000 people, nearly half of whom are women. The Group’s employees are of 125 nationalities, of which about 70 are represented in the senior management.

For more information, please visit: www.standardchartered.com

About Seeing is Believing (SiB)

Seeing is Believing (SiB) is a global initiative to help tackle avoidable blindness, and is a collaboration between Standard Chartered and the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) (registered charity, No. 1100559). IAPB is the leading umbrella organisation for NGOs working in the field of eye care. Together with the World Health Organisation, it launched ‘Vision 2020: The Right to Sight’, a global campaign to eliminate avoidable blindness by 2020.

To date, Seeing is Believing has raised over US$ 17 million for blindness initiatives and plans to invest a further US$ 20 million by 2014. Seeing is Believing is the single largest contributor to the development of Vision 2020 programmes through IAPB.

For more information, visit www.seeingisbelieving.org.uk