January 18th, 2010

Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon Draws Worldwide Field Of Amateur Runners

Dubai (UAE): Ethiopian superstar Haile Gebrselassie may be the man in the spotlight but when the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon hits the streets of the emirate on Friday (January 22) a supporting cast of thousands will include amateur runners from all over the globe.

Among the influx of runners from Asia will be a 50-strong group of Japanese athletes led by former world championship bronze medalist Masako Chiba. Known as the Dubai Marathon Japanese Ambassador, Miss Chiba will head the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM)-backed group of runners who will tackle Dubai’s roads in search of personal bests.

The 33 year-old from Uji, Kyoto won the 10,000m bronze medal at the 1997 World Championships in Athens and also took third place on the podium in the marathon at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. She is also the 22nd fastest woman in marathon history (2:21:45 – Osaka 2003).

“The success of the event brings more and more ‘marathon tourists’ to Dubai,” said Event Director Peter Connerton. “I’m delighted the DTCM are bringing so many athletes, especially with Masako Chiba in the line-up. We have runners flying in from all over the globe including an Australian who is looking to complete 52 marathons in 52 weeks.”

Tristan Miller from Australia, accompanied by New Zealand’s Darren Foss – who aims to complete two of the 52 – arrives in Dubai after Miller tackled the Mumbai Marathon at the weekend. Miller is aiming to raise over $100,000 for UNICEF with his weekly marathon runs around the globe.

“I’ve found a few examples of this being done in the past few years, not to mention the famous Dean Karnazes who did 50 in 50 days,” said Miller, who is hoping to take time out from training in Dubai to meet his hero Gebrselassie. Should Miller complete his mission, he will cover 2,194.14km although it should be around twice that with training runs included.

“But all of these have been done within the USA and Canada. As far as I can tell, I’ll be the first to do this on a global scale. My hat is off to those guys and girls who have come before me, but apart from some of those crazy ultra-marathoners, I’d like to think this is a grander adventure than has been previously attempted.”

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, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will feature runners from around 100 different countries.

Entries have closed for the marathon, the 10km and 3km races. Runners will be asked to collect their race numbers and packs from the race HQ from The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina on Wednesday and Thursday (Jan 20-21) from 9am-9pm.

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, Vittel Water, RTA, Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Emergency Services.

IMAGE CAPTION
Former World Championship medalist Masako Chiba – heading to Dubai as a Marathon Ambassador from Japan