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33,000 runners expected for ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon; $300,000 in prize money at stake

(File photo)
13 Dec 2024 12:27

Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)

Thousands of marathoners and casual sports lovers will run for $300,000 in prize money, fun, fitness and community at the crack of dawn during the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon on Saturday.

Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), the organisers of the sixth edition of the event, expect 33,000 for the race that is witnessing unfettered enthusiasm as entries from over the world continue to pour in ahead of the start that will be fired off at Race Village adjacent to the ADNOC headquarters.

The runners will be divided into different categories and Aref Al Awani, the ADSC Secretary General, appeared pleased while speaking to the media about the arrangements. 

"We had anticipated 30,000 and only a buffer of 3,000 more registrations due to security and logistical reasons," said Al Awani. At 5pm on Saturday, roughly 36 hours before the race, the counter kept increasing by the minute and had clocked 31,800 already.

Registrations will close a few hours before the start of the race, said the organisers. A buzzing Race Village saw people signing up in person as well while most had already registered on the website in the available categories – 2.5km, 5km, 10km, half marathon (21km) and the full marathon (42km).


A large field of international athletes, predominantly from the African continent, have arrived in the city and started training for the big event. However, last year's top-three finishers in both men and women divisions are not yet featured on the start list, which could meaning the event is likely to see new champions.

Athletes who met the media expressed hope of setting new personal records. They were also unanimous in their view that the Abu Dhabi marathon is being staged during favourable weather conditions when they can give it their best shot with an eye on new records.

Kenyan Raymond Choge, for instance, told Aletihad: "I reached here on Tuesday and there has been no problems adjusting to the weather. It is slightly colder back home, but this is ideal. My personal best is 2:07 hours and the course record is 2:04 so it is doable on the flat course here in Abu Dhabi.”

He will face tough competition from Chala Ketema Regasa, who echoed the view that the weather is slightly colder in his native Ethiopia while he tries to improve his personal best of 2:06.11 hours in Abu Dhabi

Another Kenyan, Mike Boit Kiptum, said: "I have always heard about Abu Dhabi and thanks to the organisers I am here at the race I have been keen to run. I have a good feeling that I will do well here."

With most of the top contenders competing for the first time, and if the course record times are threatened, new beginnings and history will be made by the winners in Abu Dhabi.

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