With just under a week to go for the Samsung Dubai Marathon, organisers have revealed the route that faces the multi-national field of over 5,000 athletes entered for the 10km road race and 3km fun run.
Held under the patronage of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, the 42.195km marathon will see the runners set off and finish in the area behind the Dubai World Trade Centre on January 10.
The leading runners are expected to cross the finish line in just over two hours after covering a route taking in many of Dubais architectural and geographical landmarks.
But while the International field and last years winner Wilson Kibet of Kenya will be focused on winning the prestigious event and might not have time for "sightseeing", for the thousands of others taking part in the Marathon,10km Road Race and 3km Fun Run there is the opportunity to take in the sights while running on Dubais clean and wide roads.
In the main event, the runners will leave the Dubai World Trade Centre at 7am and run by the Emirates Towers before heading into the city along the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Road. They will then run alongside the Bur Dubai shore of the Creek before coming back in land to pass Sheikh Saeeds House and the Fishing and Heritage Village before crossing to Deira through Al Shindagha Tunnel.
On the other side of the Creek, they will pass the Hyatt Regency as they run alongside the Arabian Gulf and into the residential and business part of the route.
By just over the half-way mark, the route will see them on the road to the Dubai Cinema and the Clock Tower while the 25km wall will be hit among the stunning architecture of the Etisalat Tower and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce building. From there its a straight run up to Deira City Centre and then along the Airport Road.
After passing the Aviation Club and the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, the competitors will cross Al Gharoud Bridge back into Bur Dubai and the kick for home will commence at the 35km mark near Wafi City.
The 10km athletes will compete between the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Emirates Towers, while the 3km Fun Run - which is popular with all the family - also starts and ends up from the Dubai World Trade Centre." with a new up and back route.
For those with a spectator interest there are a number of vantage points recommended by the Dubai Marathon Office. The Bur Juman Centre and Deira City Centre are recommended viewpoints, while good viewing areas can also be enjoyed at the Clock Tower, Seef Road and Oud Metha Road.
Gulf News 2003
