Ethiopian running superstars Mamitu Daska and Mulu Seboka are the latest names to join a powerful field of elites for the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 22.

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With Daska and Seboka – winners of the ladies' race in Dubai in both 2010 and 2014 – joining compatriot Tirfi Tsegaye in the IAAF Gold Label race, the Dubai Marathon will feature three of its last six winners.

Since winning in Dubai in 2010, Daska has lowered her marathon personal best to 2h:21m:59s thanks to victory at the Frankfurt Marathon in 2011, while she also won the Half Marathon title at the All African Games in 2015. 

For Seboka, it will be a third straight appearance in the UAE – she followed her 2014 win with fifth place in 2015 and a new personal best of 2h:21m:56s – and the 31 year-old is looking forward to the challenges of one of the flattest and quickest marathon routes in the world.

“Dubai is a very special marathon for me as I was champion in 2014 and I ran my personal best there in 2015,” said Seboka, who claimed fifth in her first World Marathon Major appearance in Chicago in 2015.

Event Director Peter Connerton said: “Dubai is now well established as one of the premier race routes on the calendar, which means it is always high on the list of preferred venues for elite marathon runners.”

While entries across the Marathon, the 10km Road Race and the 4km Fun Run are up on previous years, the event is set to attract a record field. And for those who have yet to register, race organisers will offer a festive extension of the closing date for entries.