Patrick Makau winning the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (© Victah Sailer)
After another memorable edition last February, including a World record-equalling 15Km clocking, the 2010 edition of the RAK Half Marathon has a hard act to follow. But organisers have again lured a strong field to the Emirate looking to add to the race’s lustre as it celebrates its fourth edition.
Patrick Makau's winning time of 58:52 at this IAAF Silver Label Road Race last year remained the quickest in the world for 2009, and significantly it was a genuine race to the tape that forced the then 23-year-old to the new course record which remains the second fastest time in history.
After leading through 15km in a World record-equalling 41:29 last year but eventually finishing third, it is Ethiopian front-running sensation Deriba Merga who returns to top a field of staggering depth and quality, while Makau sits this one out and awaits a return to form.
Dogging Merga's almost certain front-running approach this year will be recent winner of the Zayed Half Marathon, compatriot Tilahun Regassa. Such is the precocious talent of this 20-year-old, that Merga will have to exercise much better pace judgment this time around to stay ahead in RAK. Teammate Lelisa Desisa, who debuted with a 59:59 in Abu Dhabi, will be feeling more confident after then leaving in his wake a lot of his fellow starters lined up for RAK.
The predictable Kenyan challenge (runners of from this east African powerhouse have won each edition of this race so far), of the men's race in RAK will be led by Marathon specialist Geoffrey Mutai who surprised last year's runner up Wilson Kipsang in Valencia last autumn beating him in a race record of 59:30. Mutai will be joined by John Kiprotich (59:23) and Jairus Chanchima (59:44) to make it an interesting battle for East African pride.
Former World Half Marathon champion Fabiano Joseph is the sole Tanzanian this time round and he will lead the rest of the challengers in a field that has no less than ten sub-60-minute performers!
Greg Fairlie (Organisers) for the IAAF
Patrick Makau's winning time of 58:52 at this IAAF Silver Label Road Race last year remained the quickest in the world for 2009, and significantly it was a genuine race to the tape that forced the then 23-year-old to the new course record which remains the second fastest time in history.
After leading through 15km in a World record-equalling 41:29 last year but eventually finishing third, it is Ethiopian front-running sensation Deriba Merga who returns to top a field of staggering depth and quality, while Makau sits this one out and awaits a return to form.
Dogging Merga's almost certain front-running approach this year will be recent winner of the Zayed Half Marathon, compatriot Tilahun Regassa. Such is the precocious talent of this 20-year-old, that Merga will have to exercise much better pace judgment this time around to stay ahead in RAK. Teammate Lelisa Desisa, who debuted with a 59:59 in Abu Dhabi, will be feeling more confident after then leaving in his wake a lot of his fellow starters lined up for RAK.
The predictable Kenyan challenge (runners of from this east African powerhouse have won each edition of this race so far), of the men's race in RAK will be led by Marathon specialist Geoffrey Mutai who surprised last year's runner up Wilson Kipsang in Valencia last autumn beating him in a race record of 59:30. Mutai will be joined by John Kiprotich (59:23) and Jairus Chanchima (59:44) to make it an interesting battle for East African pride.
Former World Half Marathon champion Fabiano Joseph is the sole Tanzanian this time round and he will lead the rest of the challengers in a field that has no less than ten sub-60-minute performers!
Greg Fairlie (Organisers) for the IAAF
