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Past Champions Join Dubai Marathon Field - IAAFPublished by
Past Two Winners Berhanu and Mekonnen Added to Dubai Marathon FieldPublished by IAAF on January 8 2016 An unprecedented number of former winners will start the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon after reigning champion Lemi Berhanu and 2014 winner Tsegaye Mekonnen confirmed their participation in the IAAF Gold Label Road Race on January 22. The announcement takes to six the number of athletes in the starting line-up who have won in Dubai with Berhanu and Mekonnen joining 2012 champion and course record-holder Ayele Abshero in the men’s field. In the women’s event, the field is led by former winners Mulu Seboka (2014), Tirfi Tsegaye (2013) and Mamitu Daska (2010). Competing in only his second marathon, Berhanu destroyed a more experienced field to win last year in 2:05:28 and smash his personal best by five minutes. Mekonnen’s 2014 win was even more sensational. The then 18-year-old set a world junior best of 2:04:32 in what was his first official marathon, having run as a pacemaker in the 2013 race. “The appearance of six former champions from Ethiopia underlines just how important Dubai rates in the racing calendar for the long distance elite runners,” said event director Peter Connerton. Read the full article at: www.iaaf.org
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