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A million dollars for a world record, and a further million per race in prizes has made in one fell swoop the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2008 the richest long distance running event in history. First prize for both men and women for the next event on January 18, 2008
DUBAI TO STAGE WORLD’S RICHEST MARATHON – $1,000,000 Prize Money, $1,000,000 World Record Bonus –
A million dollars for a world record, and a further million per race in prizes has made in one fell swoop the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2008 the richest long distance running event in history. First prize for both men and women for the next event on January 18, 2008 will be $250,000. That doubles the current leading marathon prize of $125,000 for the Chicago Marathon. The further attraction for leading runners is that the Dubai pot is tax-free.
The initiative was taken by race patron, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, who wants to crank up the marathon – now in its tenth year – to the status of other multi-million dollar sports events in Dubai, such as the Dubai World Cup horse race, the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament, and the Dubai Tennis Open.
Race Director Peter Connerton said yesterday (Saturday), “We are proud and delighted that the Government of Dubai has shown its commitment and support of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon. Our appreciation goes to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, Mohammed Al Gergawi, the CEO of Dubai Holding, and Matar Al Tayer, vice-president of the Dubai Sports Council.”
The $1,000,000 prize fund means the Dubai race is by far the richest event on the marathon calendar easily outstripping the prize money available in the big five races in London, Berlin, New York, Chicago and Boston.
This year’s Dubai race, on a new course which goes past the celebrated 7-star Burj Al Arab hotel, was won in 2.09.53 by William Rotich of Kenya, who said, I think with the right people and pacing, someone could do 2.05 here”. The world record of his compatriot, Paul Tergat is 2.04.55. Askale Magarska of Ethiopia ran a new course record of 2.27.19 this year. Paula Radcliffe’s world record is 2.15.25.
Pat Butcher
