December 20th, 2010

Strong Women’s Field Taking Shape For 2011 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

Dubai (UAE): There may well be a new name on the ladies’ winner’s trophy next month (January) when thousands of runners take to the streets of Dubai for the 2011 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 21, 2011.

With last year’s champion Mamitu Daska Molisa of Ethiopia unable to defend her title, organisers have brought together a hugely talented field of elite athletes in the women’s category all eager to run off with the first prize of $250,000 – the richest in the sport.

As well as an elite pack of men, the event has also attracted many of the marathon world’s best female runners with former winners Askale Magarsa and Berhane Adere – both from Ethiopia – in the field along with Paris 2009 and 2010 winner Atseda Tesema (also from Ethiopia) and Kenyan Helen Kirop who made it a Kenyan double in Prague alongside Dubai-bound Eliud Kiptanui in May 2010.

Their personal bests may vary but their race credentials are all first class. Adere, the winner in Dubai in 2008 and Chicago in 2006, has a PB of 2h:20m:42s, while Magarsa – who also has a runners-up place to her name in Berlin 2008 – enjoys a personal best marathon time of 2:21:31. Last year Molisa crossed the line in a winning time of 2:24.19.

Only nine women in history have run sub 2h:20m and had not it not been for a hip injury Magarsa may well have broken into that elite club. “Even when I ran 2:21 in Berlin in 2008, I was having pains in my right leg,” said the 26 year-old. “The pain was like a stress fracture and then I had problems with my left leg through over compensation.”

The diminutive athlete – married to fellow runner Debele Tola, who has always believed his wife to have a 2h:16 in her – is now back to her best and will be looking to do well on a track she enjoys. “My ambition is to run a personal best – Dubai is a perfect course but it does depend on the weather,” she added.

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 has firmly established its position as one of the world’s leading road races thanks to its $1 million prize fund and one of the flattest routes on the marathon circuit.

“The women’s event is often overshadowed by the elite men but over the years we have enjoyed some excellent performances from the women’s field in Dubai,” says event director Peter Connerton. “Askale is right, a lot does depend on the conditions but we have been lucky over the years with only the 2009 event being hit by wind and rain.”

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. Runners can still register at any Dubai branch of Fitness First or online at www.dubaimarathon.org