Press Release - The RAK Half Marathon - 2/15/10

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                 Ladies to chase World Record in RAK

    Tune and a dozen sub 70 ladies to go flat out in Ras Al Khaimah

With Dire Tune setting a new course record, new Ethiopian National record 
and PB of 1:07:18 at the 2009 RAK Half Marathon to be followed over the 
finish line just 39 seconds later by compatriot Abebu Gelan who set a new 
Junior Female Half Marathon World Record in doing so, the line up for the 
2010 edition had to be pretty impressive even before the start of the 
race.  Impressive it is with a stunning array of female road running 
talent making their way to the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah later this week.

This years ladies' field promises to possibly outshine the men's. Last 
year's winner, Dire Tune (ETH) returns, licking her wounds after a rare 
defeat in the recent Zayed Half in Abu Dhabi but claims are that she is in 
terrific form and her coach is asking for pacers to go at World Record 
schedule. 

She will, however, have her hands full this time. Turkey's Elvan 
Abeylegesse, World and Olympic medallist on the track, makes her half 
marathon debut here and is very happy at the prospect of pacers going at 
record pace. She is a proven winner, very aggressive and not scared to take 
the race by the scruff of the neck if she's in the right shape. 

Aselefech Mergia of Ethiopia, who was second in 2009, cannot be discounted. 
The former middle distance runner has a huge kick in her armoury and if she 
is still in contention in the late stages, you can expect to see fireworks! 
Her endurance is solid, she was 3rd in Berlin Marathon at last year's world 
championships and was the last person to beat World Half Marathon champion 
Mary Keitany (KEN) on the roads in the Bangalore 10km last season.

Kenyan born Dutch star Hilda Kibet knows what is needed at this level, she 
is cousin of World Record Holder Lornah Kiplagat and has been training with 
her in Iten, Kenya and reports are that she is in fine shape. The ever 
smiling European will not be intimidated by the opposition having defeated 
most of them over the past few years on both the track and cross country.

Kenya's challenge will be led by World Championship 4th placer Caroline 
Cheptanui, a renowned front runner also with a great Marathon time to her 
credit. She will lead the charge to try to regain the ladies' title last 
won by Salina Kosgei a couple of years ago. All in all, no less than 13 of 
the elite ladies on the line have a Personal Best time of less than 70 
minutes, making it one of the strongest fields ever in a ladies half 
marathon. With this calibre of ladies on the start line those record books 
may need to be dusted off once more!

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