by Alfonz Juck
Kenenisa Bekele, photo by PhotoRun.net
January 18, 2017…Kenenisa is confident
DUBAI (UAE): Kenenisa Bekele is “confident” he can break Dennis Kimetto’s world marathon record of 2:02:57 in the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday, informs Pat Butcher. “The marathon needs a long time to develop, you need experience. After two years, I feel that I am a marathoner now. (Dubai) is a similar flat course to Berlin, and I think I can do better. I plan to run the world record. Of course, it’s a race, so you can’t say for sure, and it depends on the conditions. But I was very disappointed not to finish here two years ago. My plan in Berlin was to run a fast time. I was focused on a personal best and the Ethiopian record. Here, Dubai is a fast course, I’m planning to run the world record, and I’m confident,” he said. Bekele is the fastest runner in the field with a 2:03:03 PB and will face opposition from Tsegaye Mekonnen (2:04:32 PB) and Dino Sefir (2:04:50 PB).
January 17, 2017….Ethiopian favorites for Dubai
DUBAI (UAE): Ethiopian runners will be to the fore in both races at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday, informs organisers. Kenenisa Bekele (2:03:05) leads a field of seven runners – all Ethiopian – with sub-2:06 PBs: Tsegaye Mekonnen (2:04:32), Dino Sefir (2:04:50), Sisay Lemma (2:05:16), Tamirat Tola (2:05:27), Mule Wasihun (2:05:44) and Aberu Kuma (2:05:56). The women’s race includes Shure Demise (2:20:59), Meselech Melkamu (2:21:01), Tadelech Bekele (2:22:51), Yebrgual Melese (2:23:23), Shuko Genemo (2:24:31) and Belaynesh Oljira (2:25:01) while Worknesh Degefa (66:14 HM) will make her marathon debut.
January 16, 2017…Bonus of $250,000 US for WR breaker in Dubai
DUBAI (UAE): A bonus of 250,000 USD is on offer to any runner who can break the world record at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday, informs organisers. The bonus is in addition to the first prize of 200,000 USD.
