Elite Runners Gear Up for Thrilling Showdown at Dubai Marathon 2024
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The Dubai Marathon is shaping up to be an exhilarating event this Sunday, January 7, especially with a strong lineup of elite athletes. The women's field looks particularly competitive, featuring notable runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Defending champion Dera Dida from Ethiopia, who impressively won last year's event in 2:21:11, is set to return. She's had an exceptional year, achieving personal bests in both the 10,000m and the Half Marathon, and improving her marathon best to 2:19:24 in Berlin. Dida's familiarity with the Dubai route, having competed there in both 2018 and 2020, makes her a firm favorite.
Another Ethiopian, Haiven Hailu Desse, will be joining the fray. Desse has a commendable record with marathon victories in Rotterdam and Osaka, and a personal best of 2:20:19 from the Amsterdam Marathon.
Kenya's Betty Chepkwony, the 2023 Rome Marathon champion, will also be vying for the title. Her win in Rome, in a personal best time of 2:23:02, was a remarkable feat of resilience and determination.
In the men's field, Ethiopians Workineh Tadese Mandefro and Kebede Tulu Wami are the ones to watch. Tadese, with a personal best of 2:05:07 from the Hamburg Marathon, and Wami, whose personal best is 2:05:19 from the Seville Marathon, are both aiming for their first Dubai Marathon titles.
The course, known for its flat and fast layout around Umm Suqeim, the Burj Al Arab, and the Jumeirah Beach Road, is a favorite among athletes for delivering fast times. Event Director Peter Connerton has expressed his excitement about the strong elite field and the return of the event to this renowned course.
Overall, the Dubai Marathon is set to be a thrilling event, showcasing some of the best long-distance runners in the world.
