Kenya’s Benard Kibet will be back to defend his title at the 16th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half-Marathon set to be held Saturday in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
The 24 year-old will have an uphill task as he targets to lower the race course record of 57 minutes and 56 seconds set last year by the World Half Marathon record holder Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda.
Other Kenyan runners in the race include Antrim Half Marathon champion Daniel Mateiko Kennedy Kimutai, and Alex Korio.
Meanwhile reigning Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir together with compatriots Margaret Chelimo, Irene Cheptai and Catherine Reline will take part in the women’s race.
The Kenyan runners will face stiff competition from Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh who holds the world half record of 64 minutes and 31 seconds set on the same course during the 2020 edition.
RAK has established itself as one of the fastest half-marathons on the international circuit. The race is run around the spectacular seaside circuit on the gorgeous promontory of Marjan Island.
Meanwhile, Race Director and Pace Events Chief Executive Officer Peter Connerton is confident that the race will be very competitive.
“We were honored and enormously gratified to be invited by the Ras Al Khaimah tourist authorities to organize an event like the RAK half-marathon. We feel it’s a reflection of the success we’ve had with the Dubai Marathon since 2000.
“We’ve added a 10k to the RAK program since we’ve seen how successful the shorter event has been in Dubai, either as a challenge in its own right or as a stepping stone for runners on the way to a half or full marathon.
