December 31st, 2010

Registration Deadline Extended For 2011 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

2009 Berlin Champion Besuye Joins Powerful Women’s Field
Dubai (UAE): Last minute runners looking to compete in the 2011 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon have been given a registration reprieve following the news that the deadline has been extended to January 14.

The $1 million race – scheduled to hit the streets of the emirate on January 21 – will see thousands compete in the classic marathon, the 10km road race and the 3km fun run. And now more athletes will be able to line up alongside many of the world’s best courtesy of the registration extension.

“The deadline was set for midnight on December 31 but yet again we are seeing a rush of last minute registrations so we are allowing people a little more time to complete the formalities,” said event director Peter Connerton.

“However, while those who signed up well in advance could do so at Fitness First branches in Dubai, that option is now closed and the only way of guaranteeing a place in the field is to do so online at our website www.dubaimarathon.org.”

Around 12,000 runners of all standards, ages and nationalities are expected to compete in an event 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.

Among the big stars set to tackle the fast course is 23 year-old Ethiopian Atsede Habtamu Besuye who made her marathon debut in Dubai back in 2009.

Despite a torrential downpour that day, she made an immediate impact by claiming second place behind eventual winner Bezunesh Bekele before she claimed her first marathon major with victory at the Berlin Marathon later in the year.

Taking the lead at the 30km mark, she beat her more experienced – and also Dubai-bound – compatriot Askale Magarsa to win in a personal best time of 2h:24:47. She achieved the second victory of her career at Eindhoven in the Netherlands this year and while her time of 2:25:35 was outside her personal best, she still set a new course record for the event.

“We are delighted to have been able to add Atsede to the women’s line-up,” said event general co-ordinator Ahmed Al Kamali. “The field is one of the strongest we have had over the years and will provide a real test for the best women in distance running.”

The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is also supported by The Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Holding, “Official Outfitter” adidas, The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, Khaleej Times, TNT, Gatorade, Aquafina, Fitness First, Men’s Fitness, Plan B and by government departments Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Municipality DHA and the Dubai Ambulance Services.