January 16th, 2010

Sammy Korir Hoping To Upset Haile In Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

Dubai (UAE): Kenyan distance star Sammy Korir – the fifth fastest marathon man in history – will be looking to record an upset and see off world record holder Haile Gebrselassie at the $2 million Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday (Jan 22).

The 37 year-old earned a place in distance running history as the man who chased Paul Tergat – and almost beat the soon-to-be world record holder – through the Brandenburg Gate to run what was then the second fastest marathon ever, in Berlin in 2003.

Korir’s 2:04:56, just one second behind his fellow Kenyan’s landmark in the marathon, remains a highly creditable achievement, making him the fifth fastest performer in the current all-time rankings. Unfortunately, injuries took their toll following that revelatory day. Yet two years ago in Dubai, Korir achieved a unique distinction becoming the first man to break 2:09 for the marathon on ten occasions.

He finished third in 2:08:01 in the 2008 edition of the Standard Chartered-sponsored race, showing he was a far from spent force. His achievement spanned eleven years, beginning with a 2:08:02 in Rotterdam in 1997.

Recovered from injury, he showed he could mix it with the best to finish second in London in a fast 2:06:48 in 2004 and, returning to the Netherlands, ran 2:06:38 to win Rotterdam in 2006. Since then his marathon competitions have been in Asia with a fine victory in 2:07:32 in Seoul in 2008 and fourth place in 2:11:57 in Tokyo last March.

Along with Tesfaye Tola (2:06:57) and Joshua Chelanga (2:07:05), Korir is likely to be the biggest threat to Gebrselassie’s attempts to win a third successive Dubai title although none will be heartened that, despite approaching his 37th birthday, Geb’s speed does not appear to be diminishing – evidence of which was victory in the New Year’s 8km Silvesterlauf in Trier, Germany, in 22m:23s.

“After the excitement of the past two years when Haile set the second and eighth fastest times in history, I know we are all looking forward to his third appearance in Dubai on January 22,” said Shayne Nelson, Standard Chartered Regional CEO, MENA.

“Of course, what we must always remember is that this is a race that not only has the world’s greatest distance runner in the field but also features a top-class field of international runners all capable of running very fast times – most of the elite athletes have personal bests that would win many of the best marathon timings in the world.”

With entries now 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.

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 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.