January 21st, 2016

Former Champions And Panda Power!

From a man dressed in a panda suit to elite runners capable of striding 42km in just over two hours, the 2016 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will feature thousands of runners each with a different role to play in the world’s richest long distance running event.

With the 2015 event ranked second in the world behind only the London Marathon in terms of elite field and finishing times, this year’s race being staged tomorrow (Jan 22) will again showcase the city to a global audience of hundreds of millions with viewers watching live across the world. Among the countries broadcasting the race live will be Australia, Brazil, France, Mexico, Greece, China, Thailand and South and sub-saharan Africa.

The race will also be shown on the Dubai Sports Channel, while running fans in countries not able to watch it live on television will be able to follow the live feed on the event’s official website www.dubaimarathon.org with Women’s World Record Holder Paula Radcliffe providing the expert commentary.

With over 24 male elites boasting personal best times of 2:10 or less and ten sub 2:23 women in the field, athletics insiders are predicting a close fight as some of the best runners in the world chase a first prize of $200,000 and a time that may well secure them selection for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

“It will be a very high standard race,” said running legend Radcliffe. “I think we will see it come down to a battle among the Ethiopian runners, which I am sure is a reflection of the fact the Haile Gebrselassie came and ran so fast here in the past. I think he made it an event that so many young Ethiopian athletes now want to compete in and follow in his footsteps by running here.

“A lot of thought has gone into making the course as fast as possible for the elite runners, while the start time of 6.30am meets the athletes get to start in the cooler temperatures that are more conducive to running fast. Wining this race really is a big honour.”

Staged under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and held under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will get underway at 6.30am with an elite wheelchair race followed by the elite men and women and then the marathon masses.

Next on to the roads of Dubai will be the biggest field of runners in the 10km Road Race – setting off at 9am – before the final race of the day, the 4km Fun Run, enjoys an 11am start.

Among the thousands taking part in the 4km Fun Run will be Chris Woodey, who will attempt to raise awareness for the Emirates Wildlife Society by running the distance dressed as a panda.

“I was brainstorming to see how I could raise awareness and though what better way to do it than run in a giant panda suit,” said Woodey. “As I’m not fit enough to run the marathon, I’ll be running later in the day in the 4km and it’s going to get pretty hot in there. If anyone sees a passed-out panda on the course, please give us your support!”

In addition to Standard Chartered as title sponsor, the Dubai Marathon is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, Oasis, Dubai Eye 103.8FM, Dubai Holding, Dubai Police and the RTA.