FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Ladies Day Of Racing And Records Beckons At RAK Half
Early morning fireworks are predicted on Friday at the 7th staging of the
RAK Half Marathon as a mass of the world's top road runners gather for the
now annual burn-up around this balmy coastal city's mangrove-clogged
lagoon.
Good weather, a virtually pancake flat course, fierce competition and a
large prize purse have all combined well for each of the last six editions
of this early bird event – the 7am start time seems to bother no-one, least
of all the elite athletes from East Africa and it has been a Rift Valley
born athlete who has taken the victors' spoils in every race, for men and
women, so far.
This is unlikely to change, but again it could be the ladies who steal the
limelight – or should that be the dawn chorus – as several have declared an
interest in attacking existing records of genuine import. After the last
two years' exploits of world record holder Mary Keitany, absent this year
and currently expecting her second child, it is up to others to wave the
female banner on high, but there is no shortage of volunteers. For
starters, Elvan Abeylegesse, winner in 2010 in 1:07:07 returns, fresh from
almost two years away from the competitive arena and has announced her plan
to attack the European record that eluded her three years ago. Now the
mother of 18 month old daughter Arsema and seemingly fully recovered from
Achilles injuries which blighted her Olympic year return, the wiry Turk of
Ethiopian extraction is targeting firstly sub-67 minutes and secondly the
66:25 continental mark of Holland's Lornah Kiplagat, set in Udine when
winning the world title in 2007.
If Abeylegesse's ambition is tough, then what of Kenyans Florence Kiplagat
and Lucy Kabuu? The third and eighth fastest women in history over the half
marathon distance, both have declared an interest in attacking Keitany's
world mark set here two years ago. To do this, former champion of the
short-course World Cross Country (2009) and IAAF World Half Marathon
(2010), Kiplagat would have to run a personal best by 48 seconds. She is
admittedly a faster and stronger runner over the last 18 months, able to
boast a best of 1:06:38 in Ostia a year ago, as well as a 2:19:44 marathon
from her Berlin win in 2011. Add to this her fabulous competitive record
over 21.1km – she has won five of her six outings – and one can be sure
that whatever the case, this versatile performer will play a part in
proceedings at the sharp end.
For her part, while displaying ample track speed (30:39 for 10,000m) and
strength (2:19:34 for Marathon), Kabuu would have to lop 74 seconds from
her best, set in Delhi over a year ago. But again, this is quite feasible;
this 2006 Commonwealth 10,000m champion has a high quality, if somewhat
brief, competitive record on the roads and crucially too, she has retained
her speed while working on that marathon runner's strength. Last year she
ran a 4:08 1500m in Nairobi yet still joined the sub-2:20 club for the
marathon, a unique feat in the same calendar year.
Such is the depth of the men's field, that marathon star Geoffrey Mutai is
only seventh fastest with his best of 59:30 from Valencia over three years
ago; he may have his eyes on April's London Marathon, but he will none the
less likely have to run much faster if he wants to approach the British
capital's race with a RAK title to his name. A late withdrawal with a foot
injury, is his Kenyan compatriot, Micah Kogo.
Top Ten Times on RAK Half Marathon Course
Men
58:52 Patrick Makau (KEN) 2009
58:53 Sammy Wanjiru (KEN) 2007
58:59 Wilson Kipsang (KEN) 2009
59:13 Makau 2007
59:18 Deriba Merga (ETH) 2009
59:25 Merga 2011
59:32 Wilson Chebet (KEN) 2009
59:35 Makau 2008
59:35 Tsegay Kebede (ETH) 2008
59:43 Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) 2010
Women
1:05:50 Mary Keitany (KEN) 2011
1:06:49 Keitany 2012
1:07:07 Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) 2010
1:07:13 Mare Dibaba (ETH) 2010
1:07:18 Dire Tune (ETH) 2009
1:07:22 Aselefech Mergia (ETH) 2010
1:07:41 Teyba Erkesso (ETH) 2010
1:07:48 Mergia 2009
1:07:50 Philes Ongori (KEN) 2009
1:07:57 Abebu Gelan (ETH) 2009
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