A Preview Of “The World’s Richest Marathon”

The race’s enormous prize purse has attracted a talented field.

For the first time in three years, the current owner of the marathon world record, Haile Gebrselassie, will not be appearing at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon that is taking place this Friday. This decision by the Ethiopian superstar leaves the field wide open.

With $250,000 prize purses for both the men’s and women’s winners, there is no shortage of talent at this race.

A total of six sub-2:07 marathoners comprise the pre-race favorites as well as another ten who have dipped under 2:10.

Currently, all eyes are on Eliud Kiptanui for the win. Only 20 years old, he surprised the field at the 2010 Prague Marathon with a 2:05:39.

His manager Volker Wagner thinks he’s ready to run fast in Dubai. “[Kiptanui’s] in good shape for Dubai,” he said. “There’s no pressure, no appearance money, and he can do whatever he wants. He wants to go for the world record at some point, but maybe not this time; just run the course, see what it’s like, and prepare for next year.”

For More: IAAF