DUBAI: Dubai Marathon winners shattered records at this year’s race, beating tens of thousands who donned their running shoes early Friday morning to participate in the iconic sporting event.
Ethiopian Getaneh Molla and Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich broke the course records in the 19th edition of the 42-kilometer run, with Molla registering an official time of 2:03:34 or about roughly half minute faster than Mosinet Geremew’s 2:04:00 set last year.
Chepngetich emerged as the winner for the female division, finishing the race with a time of 2:17:08 – the fastest in the history of women’s marathon – and also shattering the course record of Roza Dereje at 2:19:17 at last year’s race.
The marathon route started on Dubai’s Umm Suqeim Road at Madinat Jumeirah, where the runners were treated to the iconic views of the city’s top tourist spots – the man-made Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
The race started 6 a.m. for wheelchair and elite athletes, while the public began running at 7 a.m.
Good luck to all of our athletes . Who thinks a record will be set today for the Full Marathon? The countdown is now on to see the winners! #ItsNotJustRunning #SCBDXBMarathon #SCBUAE#SCBDubaiMarathon #MyDubai pic.twitter.com/ad4MjkGu4L
— Standard Chartered (@StanChartUAE) January 25, 2019
