Running legend Bekele for Dubai Marathon

Dubai — Three-time Olympic champion and world record holder Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia will take part in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 23 2015 in his capacity as Ambassador of the Dubai Holding Wellness Programme.

One of the most accomplished long distance runner of our time times 32-year old Bekele said it was an honour to be invited to for the Dubai event which has played hosts to some of the top runners in the grueling men’s and women’s marathon.

The Dubai debut appearance of one of the greatest long distance athletes of all-time will once again turn the spotlight on the world’s richest marathon as the 32 year-old competes in just the third marathon of what is an illustrious career.

Bekele is looking forward to progressing at the classic 42.195km distance after winning in Paris in April (course record 2:05:04) and finishing fourth in Chicago in October (2:05:51).

He holds three current world records for 5000m outdoor 5000m indoor and 10000m outdoor; has been 18 times World Champion and three times Olympic champion and is the first and only athlete to be world indoor and outdoor world cross country and Olympic champion.

Ahmad bin Byat Chief Executive Officer Dubai Holding said: “Inspiration is essential in all aspects of life both professional and personal. As part of our Wellness Programme initiatives we aim to inspire Dubai Holding employees and members of the wider community to adopt an active lifestyle push themselves and take on a challenge.

“Bekele is an ideal ambassador for our programme as he is constantly pushing his limits further and challenging himself to do better.”

Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council the 2015 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will see runners compete in the full Marathon the 10km Road Race and the 4km Fun Run. Around 25000 runners are expected across the three events with athletes of all ages abilities and nationalities lining up alongside one of the biggest names in world sport.

Event Director Peter Connerton believes the appearance of Bekele will fire the crowds in the same manner as fellow Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie who competed for three years in Dubai from 2008-2010.

“Like Haile Kenenisa has made the step up to the marathon distance after winning everything there is to win at both 5000m and 10000m indoor outdoor and cross country” he said.

“So far he has had a better start to his marathon career than both Haile and Paul Tergat. He has followed our race with interest for a few years now and has been keen to come and take his marathon experience to another level. We are proud he believes Dubai is the right venue for the next stage in what has been an outstanding running career.”

The 2015 race will mark the ninth consecutive year that Dubai Holding supports the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon as part of its Corporate Wellness Programme. The 2014 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon saw around 2000 employees from the Corporate Office Jumeirah Group TECOM Investments Dubai Properties Group and Emirates International Telecommunications take part in the event and the company has ambitions to once again grow that figure by twenty per cent in 2015.

In line with the Dubai Government’s efforts of supporting healthier living habits Dubai Holding also sponsors the UAE National prize category which it introduced in 2010 offering a total of Dh86000 to the three fastest UAE nationals in the men and women’s marathon 10km and push chair races. Runners who would like to take part in the 2015 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon or the associated 10km and 4km events can register online only at www.dubaimarathon.org

sportskhaleejtimes.com