For the fourth year in succession, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has been awarded Gold Label status from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

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Now recognised as one of the best marathons in the world of athletics, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon – scheduled to be staged on January 23, 2015 – continues to excel as the region’s premier mass participation event with more than 25,000 participants expected on the start line in just six weeks time.

In 2011, the event became the first Middle East running event to gain IAAF Gold Label status, an award determined by a number of criteria including global media and TV coverage, the variety of international competitors and the quality of previous race times.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, the 2015 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will see runners compete in the full Marathon, the 10km Road Race and the 4km Fun Run.

Just 11 months ago, Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Mekonnen became the third consecutive athlete to win the men’s marathon title while competing for the first time over the classic 42.195km distance – although he had competed in Dubai in 2013 as a pacemaker. His winning time of 2h:04m:32s was the 14th fastest ever and established a new World Junior Record in the process.

In recent years, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon has underlined its reputation for offering a super-flat course that is perfect for fast times – indeed, the race has now seen an unprecedented ELEVEN athletes break the 2h:05m barrier with ten of these times achieved over the past three years.

Event Director Peter Connerton added: “Because of this support, we are able to stage an event that continues to attract the  world’s best up-and-coming long distance runners as well as those established athletes keen to set fast times on a benign course.”

Runners who would like to take part in the 2015 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon or the associated 10km and 4km events should register online only at www.dubaimarathon.org.