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WORLD-CLASS ELITE ATHLETES COUNT DOWN TO THE RAS AL KHAIMAH HALF-MARATHON
Extra Than 40 Elites to Line Up at World’s Quickest Half Marathon
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 22 February 2024: Held underneath the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the seventeenth Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon will see greater than 40 world-class elite athletes run alongside hundreds of beginner runners when the annual occasion will get underway on Saturday (February 24).
The elite discipline is likely one of the strongest ever assembled within the historical past of the occasion, with Olympic, World, and European Champions, Marathon Main Winners, and former World File holders all vying for a share of the AED 1.2 million ($326,000) complete prize and bonus cash.
In addition to elites chasing report occasions over the 21.1km half marathon distance, beginner runners from around the globe may even compete within the four-race occasion, with all runs happening on routes on Al Marjan Island, a novel cluster of 4 coral-shaped islands in a man-made archipelago.
Hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Improvement Authority (RAKTDA), the half marathon has attracted the likes of World Half Marathon and Olympic Marathon Champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya, 2022 World Marathon Champion and 2023 New York Metropolis Marathon Champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia, and Germany’s European 5,000m Champion Konstanze ‘Koko’ Klosterhalfen.
February 22, 2024.
Raki Phillips, Chief Govt Officer Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Improvement Authority, mentioned: “”The Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon happening this weekend is about to be probably the most thrilling but in its 17-year historical past, with unbelievable elite athletes taking part.
“The sporting occasion continues to draw the largest names whereas retaining its group spirit and attracting extra members every year from the UAE and worldwide. From Olympic champions to enthusiastic youngsters operating alongside their dad and mom, this occasion offers the suitable alternative to showcase Ras Al Khaimah as an excellent sporting vacation spot whereas additionally being a pacesetter in outside and adventure-focused tourism.”
All of the elite runners have arrived on Al Marjan Island desirous to familiarize yourself with the new-look course. And with the Paris Olympics simply 5 months away, the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon is right preparation for the elites who will symbolize their international locations in the summertime. For Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, it’s also an opportunity to reacquaint herself with a spot the place she broke the ladies’s half marathon world report in 2017.
“I’ve a number of nice reminiscences from right here – I actually started to imagine in myself once I set the world report,” she mentioned on the pre-event press briefing at RIXOS Bab Al Bahr. “My coaching has gone nicely since I used to be injured after successful the world title in Riga final 12 months, however it’s exhausting to foretell how I’ll do that weekend with so many nice athletes right here.”
“It’s little marvel that the elite girls are so eager to run in Ras Al Khaimah – no different half marathon on the planet has seen the ladies’s world report or world greatest damaged extra usually than in Ras Al Khaimah. It has occurred thrice (2011, 2017, and 2020) since world half marathon data have been first listed in 1984. ”
“I’m very excited to be with the perfect runners on the planet on the world’s quickest half marathon,” mentioned European golden woman Koko Klosterhalfen, who can be making solely her second look on the half marathon distance, having received on her debut in Valencia in 2022. “I received’t deal with the end result however simply on operating my greatest and taking it from there.”
Whereas an excessive amount of curiosity can be on the ladies’s race, Ethiopian followers can be eager to see the primary look in Ras Al Khaimah of former Marathon World Champion Tamirat Tola, who broke a 12-year-old course report when successful the New York Metropolis Marathon simply three months in the past.
“I’m glad to return right here for the primary time because it’s a flat and quick course for me,” he mentioned. “I set my private greatest seven years in the past (59:37), so I purpose to go underneath 59 minutes on Saturday.”
Three-time world half marathon champion Paula Radcliffe, who will present skilled TV commentary when the race is broadcast stay worldwide, added: “I’ve learn a lot about this race, so it’s an awesome thrill for me to be right here for the primary time. The race comes on the proper time for the athletes, and it’s a course that I’d like to have run in my prime – the quick, flat curves and mild bends are an awesome check and received’t have an effect on runners who’re used to a lot monitor work.”
In addition to the half marathon, race day may even see runners competing in a 2km Household Enjoyable Run, a 5km Highway Race, and, for the primary time, a 10km Highway Race. The half marathon will begin at 7am, with the 5km/10km race at 9.30am and the 2km Household Enjoyable Run at 10.30am.
On-line registration for all 4 races will stay open till Friday (February 23), with latecomers in a position to accumulate their run numbers from the RAKTDA grounds on Al Marjan Island till 8pm. Late registration might be made at rakhalfmarathon.com
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Image Caption: Peres Jepchirchir checks out her World File-breaking time from 2017 in Ras Al Khaimah
About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Improvement Authority (RAKTDA)
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Improvement Authority (RAKTDA) was established in Could 2011 underneath the federal government of Ras Al Khaimah. RAKTDA goals to develop the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and set up Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class vacation spot for leisure and enterprise journey, creating sustainable funding alternatives and enhancing the standard of life for its residents. To realize its targets, the Authority has a authorities mandate to license, regulate, and monitor the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality business.
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