Tola wins the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2017
Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola and Worknesh Degefa lead an Ethiopian clean-sweep at the 2017 Standard Chartered Dubai 
Marathon today (Friday) as Kenenisa Bekele’s world record bid fell apart in the opening few strides.
“The pace was very fast at the start,” said Tola after receiving his trophy from HH Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai International Marine Club and Julian Wynter, Standard Chartered Bank CEO UAE. “The 15k time (43.26) was much too fast but when we saw that Kenenisa was well behind, I became more confident. I’m happy to win but I think I could have run under 2.04”.
In the women’s race, Marathon debutante Worknesh Degefa won the $200,000 prize at the first attempt crossing 
the line in 2:22:36 – the fourth fastest time in the event’s history – with Shure Demise in second (2:22:57) and Yebrgual Melese taking third (2:23:13).
Held under the patronage of HH 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 saw around 30,000 runners compete in the Marathon, the 10km Road Race and the 4km Fun Run.
In the wheelchair category, Spain’s Rafa Botello emerged triumphant on his Dubai debut storming home in 1:31:19, just three seconds ahead of Monahan who was also racing on the Dubai roads for the first time. Third place went to defending champion JohnBoy Smith of Great Britain (1:36:25).
The 10km Road Race saw Samir Jouaher of Morocco successfully defend his crown (28:34) with Ethiopia’s Wuletaw 
Adane in second (28:57) and Morocco’s Ahmed Tamri third (29:27). The women’s 10km Road Race saw victory go to the UAE’s Alia Mohammed in 33:07 ahead of Ethiopian Berhan Aregawi (33:32) and third placed Amanda Bohlin of Sweden 36:53).
As well as Standard Chartered as title sponsor, the Dubai Marathon is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, Dubai Eye 103.8FM, Sport 360, Masafi, Dubai Holding, Dubai Police and the RTA.
“We were delighted and honoured to see the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon awarded a five-star rating by the Dubai Sports Council – one of just four sporting events in the UAE to achieve this rating,” said Sarmad Lone, Standard Chartered Bank’s Head of Banking for the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan.
Outlining Standard Chartered’s commitment to the event, he added: “UAE President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has declared 2017 the Year of Giving and, embracing this great concept and in the true spirit of being Here for good, Standard Chartered UAE has brought community engagement to the next level. This year, we will be raising funds for kids at the Rashid Paediatric Centre, a non-profit organisation that provides education and therapy to children with special needs, with unique programmes designed to meet each child’s needs.”
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