Record holders at Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon

By DG Staff

RAS AL KHAIMAH February 2020: A record-breaking number of entrants has been confirmed for this year’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, which will be held on Al Marjan Island on Friday, 21 February.

Lining up alongside some of best long-distance athletes in the world, including Brigid Kosgei, Peres Jepchirchir and Julien Wanders, some 5,100 runners will compete across a variety of race categories, including full half marathon, relay, 5 km and a 1 km fun run.

The 14th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon boasts a truly impressive line-up of world-class elite runners. In the women’s race, women’s marathon world record-holder, Brigid Kosgei from Kenya, will be accompanied by a further 10 runners with sub 67-minute personal bests. Joining Kosgei among the favourites will be former half marathon World record holder, Peres Jepchirchir, reigning World Half Marathon champion Netsanet Gudeta, and 2018 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon winner, Fancy Chemutai. Also in action will be the last two winners of the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, Ababel Yeshaneh and Vivian Kiplagat.

The elite field in the men’s race is also one of the best ever for a half marathon, featuring 11 runners with sub 60-minute personal bests, including European half marathon record-holder, Julien Wanders from Switzerland.

Speaking at a pre-race press conference, one of the men’s favourites, Alexander Mutiso Munyao, commented: “I’m pleased to have recently run 59.09 which is the fastest half marathon time of 2020 so far. While this was my personal best, I’m aiming to break it in Ras Al Khaimah.”

Marathon world record holder, Brigid Kosgei said: “I think Ras Al Khaimah is a fantastic course as several world records were broken on it before. While I’m preparing now for the London Marathon, I would like to break my personal record this weekend for the half marathon.”

Renowned as the world’s fastest half marathon, this year’s Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon will see a prize purse of Dh1,219,000 distributed among the leading elite runners as well as the UAE National and age group categories.

With registration for all race categories now closed, a total of 5,100 participants from 114 different nationalities have signed up. This number includes 3,174 for the half marathon itself, which starts at 07:00am and also features two-person and four-person relay formats, while the 5 km race starts at 10:30am and the 1 km fun run, specially designed for families and children, at 11:00am. The elite awards ceremony for the half marathon winners will take place at 08:20am within the specially created race village.

The race village will be open to competitors and spectators alike from 5 am.