Payday In Dubai

A bonus of USD 250,000 is on offer for the world record, in addition to the prize money of USD 200,000 for the first place, at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele is the pre-race favourite of the event that will start at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, 20 January.

In its sixth successive year as an IAAF Gold Label race, world’s fastest marathoners meet again in Dubai. It was Ethiopians Tesfaye Abera Dibaba with 2:04:24 in men and Tirfi Tsegaye Beyene with 2:19:41 in women last year who were victorious. With an incentive of USD 450,000 besides what he may have received as appearance fee, it is no surprise if Bekele pushes hard to better his career best of 2:03:03, just six seconds shy of the world record. However, the Ethiopian star must first beat his compatriots to accomplish his goal. Tsegaye Mekonnen, who ran 2:04:32 in his debut in Dubai in 2014, and finished the same course in 2:04:46 last year, will surely be a contender. Dino Sefir, holding a personal best of 2:04:50 is another athlete to watch closely.

On the women’s side, Shure Demise with a personal best time of 2:20:59 is top on the list but she would face a strong challenge from the 2:21:01 runner Meselech Melkamu, winner of both Hamburg and Amsterdam marathons last year.

Further to the winners of both men’s and women’s races receiving USD 200,000 in Dubai Marathon, first ten get paid cash prizes. This year, the athletes finishing in tenth place will pocket USD 10,000 each. The organisers are so eager for the world record that, not only they offer USD 250,000 for the record but also will be using several pacemakers including Negesse Endeshaw who has a personal best time of 2:04:52.