Dubai: Two of the world’s leading marathon runners, Aselefech Mergia and Mare Dibaba, will go head to head in the women’s event when the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon gets under way on January 26. Mergia, who turns 33 just three days before the event, is the greatest female runner in the history of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon having won three times in three appearances and set the course record of 2:19:31. She returns to Dubai fresh from a sold third place finish at last year’s London Marathon. Looking to thwart Mergia’s hope of a fourth Dubai title, 28 year-old Dibaba is one of the most successful marathon runners in the world. The marathon will be staged in conjunction with a 10-km road race and a 4-km fun run.

Source: Ethiopian News January 14, 2018 15:00 UTC