By Neil Cameron  www.thenational.ae
DUBAI // Organisers of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon yesterday unveiled a new route for January’s race that will take runners past the city’s major landmarks.
The 2012 race, which goes ahead on January 27, will start and finish in the shadow of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and is also going to take in Dubai Mall, along with the Dubai World Trade Centre, Emaar Boulevard and Union House.
“The eyes of the running world will now be on our event,” Ahmed Al Kamali, the president of the Athletic Federation, said. “And with a new route, and a start and finish line beside the Burj Khalifa, we can showcase Dubai as both a 21st century city and a global sporting venue second to none.”
With the event now holding International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) road race gold label status, organisers say it confirms Dubai’s place at the top table of marathon running alongside cities such as London, Berlin and New York. Thousands of runners have already signed up for the full marathon, the 10 kilometre race and the three kilometre fun run.
This year’s race was won by Kenya’s David Barmasai, and the women’s title went to Aselefech Medessa of Ethiopia.
