Kipserem looks to defend Abu Dhabi Marathon title

Top runners from across the world will descend on the capital when the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) Abu Dhabi Marathon takes place on Dec.6 following the UAE’s 48th National Day celebrations.

Defending champions Marius Kipserem, Evans Chebet, who won silver at the 2017 Valencia Marathon in a time of 2:05:03, and Ethiopian Feyisa Lilesa Gemechu, the 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallist, are among the elite runners to confirm their participation for the second edition of the event.

Vivian Kiplagat and Eunice Chumba Chebichii, who finished second last year, are among the big names in the female category of the competition.

The prize fund for the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon is one of the world’s largest and totals over $388,000, with male and female winners of the marathon taking home $100,000 each.

Last year, Kipserem completed the race in four hours, four minutes and four seconds to win, taking off more than two minutes of his previous best time of 2:06:11 set at the 2016 Rotterdam Marathon.

Another Kenyan, Abraham Kiptum, who is the half-marathon record holder, finished second while Ethiopia’s Dejene Debela took third place.

“I am looking forward to win the second straight title. I have started training for the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon after competing in the Rotterdam Marathon in April,” said Kipserem.

The Kenyan had set a new course record to win the Rotterdam Marathon in two hours, four minutes and 11 seconds, his second success in four years. The previous course record had stood for 10 years after Kenyan Duncan Kibet ran 2:04:27 to win in 2009. Yet that time always looked under threat as the frontrunners set a quick pace of 1:02:16 at the half-way mark.

Earlier, the race route and technical partner for the event was announced at a press conference hosted by Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Executive Office Director of Adnoc at the company’s headquarters on Sunday.

The race will start in front of the iconic Adnoc headquarters and heads out along the Corniche.

Runners will pass the Emirates Heritage Village — home to one of the tallest flagpoles in the world — before making their way around Marina Mall and through the Event Village located in the South Plaza of the Adnoc campus, making it more spectator-friendly and exciting for participants.

Other route highlights include Qasr Al Hosn, one of Abu Dhabi’s oldest and most beautiful stone buildings, and the new Corniche finish line.

Awani said: “The second edition of the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon is set to be the Emirate’s biggest and best sporting event yet.

“We have changed the race route slightly to allow runners to hear the cheers from their supporters from the event village on the Adnoc South Plaza.”

High-performance Australian sports apparel brand 2XU has been named technical sponsor for the world-class sporting event taking place in the capital.

All participants will receive a top-of-the-line T-shirt made from high-filament cross section yarn, with moisture-wicking and antibacterial properties that help keep runners comfortable and focused during races.

 “With the addition of a high-profile technical partner – 2XU – we can make sure that our runners are equipped with the best sports apparel to perform to the best of their abilities and surpass their goals,” Awani addded.

“After the success of the inaugural race last year we are hoping to attract 15,000 runners from the UAE and overseas this year and continue to put Abu Dhabi on the global sporting stage.”

Suwaidi said: “Our corporate campus has been undergoing extensive renovations to create an unrivalled experience for the marathon runners. We look forward to welcoming our athletes, their families, and the entire UAE community to the fan village – the Energy Zone – for what promises to be yet another fantastic weekend in the UAE’s event calendar.

As part of its continued efforts to encourage healthy and active living in the Emirates and following the popularity of community training sessions to date, ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon are hosting additional training sessions in a variety of new locations.

“With over 10,000 participants taking part in the inaugural edition of the marathon, the number of runners are expected to be even higher at this year’s race as the event’s global profile continues to grow,” said Andrea Trabuio, race director.

The event will host four difference races — of varying distances and aptitudes to appeal to runners of all abilities as well as first-timers — including the 2.5km Fun Run, 5km race, 10km race and 42.2km marathon.

Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor