Dubai marathon record under threat

With the balmy weather expected to continue, Friday's Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will most likely see the course record being sent to oblivion yet again.
The winter has been in full flow over the past week or so and that should make for more than perfect running conditions when the 20th staging of the region's only IAAF Gold Label Marathon unfolds.
As always, tens and thousands will be taking the start line at Jumeirah in the early hours and the focus will be on another classic field of elite athletes who have converged in this iconic city to tackle the 42.195km distance.
A year ago, Ethiopians Mosiney Gerrmew and Roza Dereje unfurled new course records in the men's and women's segments respectively.
Geremew clocked 2:04:00, while Dereje timed 2:19:17 with seven men and four women finishing sub 2:05 and sub 2:20 respectively. That underlined that quality of the field that was on display and this edition will be no different.
The Ethiopians and the Kenyans have laid siege when it comes to marathons and the rivalry will resume in Dubai.
Ethiopia's Lemi Berhanu, the 2015 winner and second in 2016, countryman Asefa Mengstu, fourth here last year, and Guya Adola, the fastest debutant in the world, are some of elite men competing, while Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich, currently the quickest female on the planet, Ethiopia's Worknesh Degefa as well as Kenya's Sharon Cherop, Ethiopia's Birke Debele and Waganesh Mekasha, among others, make up the women's field.
Meanwhile, Swiss athlete Tadesse Abraham who will be gunning for Mo Farah's European Record when he makes his debut in Dubai.
The Elite runners will take to the course at 6 a.m followed by the masses at 7 a.m.
james@khaleejtimes.com