City of Dubai joins forces for Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

DUBAI, 17th January, 2015 (WAM) -- As the biggest mass participation sporting event in the Middle East, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, is expected to see around 30,000 runners take to the streets on Friday 22nd January for the 10km Road Race and the 4km Fun Run, members of ‘Team Dubai’ will play as keen a role as the elite athletes in the star-studded line-up, according to event organisers. With such a gathering, logistics play a vital role, which is where the support of the Dubai Government is crucial as hundreds of officers and officials get set to assist in the staging of a safe and memorable race. "As the event grows bigger every year, we rely on many government bodies to help put on a world-class sporting occasion," said event director, Peter Connerton. "With the support of the Dubai Sports Council, we work closely with Dubai’s Police’s Protection and Security, CID and Traffic Departments. "As the biggest mass participation sporting event in the Middle East, the logistics are challenging but with the help and expertise of Dubai Police, Dubai Ambulance Service, the RTA, Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Health Authority, everyone works together to make it make it a smooth and successful event for every category. It really is a ‘Team Dubai’ effort." Staged under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and held under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will get underway at 6.30 a.m., with the 10km Road Race at 9 a.m. and the 4km Fun Run setting off at 11 a.m.. The Marathon and 10km Road Race will start on Umm Suqeim Road opposite the Madinat Jumeirah in the shadow of the iconic Burj Al Arab, while the 4km Fun Run will start on Al Wasl Road. All finishes are on Umm Suqeim Road just before the Dubai Police Academy and Al Wasl Road junction, with an official seven-hour time limit at the finish for the Marathon with police and medical support. While many roads around the route will close or have limited access from 01.00 a.m., there will be phased road openings from 12.00 p.m. on Friday. With under a week to go, the event is still accepting entries but last-minute runners are advised to be quick as each category will close once all the run numbers have been allocated. Those who have signed up are already can collect their run numbers starting on Monday from Meydan. Run Number collection will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, the eve of the race itself. In addition to Standard Chartered as title sponsor, the Dubai Marathon is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, Dubai Eye 103.8FM, Dubai Holding, Dubai Police and the RTA. – Emirates News Agency, WAM - http://www.wam.ae/en/news/sports/1395290381812.html