The 3rd edition of the RAK Half Marathon produced one of the strongest in-depth races in history with 5 men crossing the finish line in under 60 minutes and 10 women breaking the 70- minute mark.

Patrick Makau clocked his personal best time and a new course record to beat compatriot Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, who finished second with a time of 58:59. Deriba Merga of Ethiopia finished third with a time of 59:18.

In the women’s event, Dire Tune crossed the finish line with a solid 30- second lead over compatriot Aselefech Mergia who finished second in 01:07:48. Philes Ongori of Kenya ended up third with a time of 01:07:50.

The event was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who fired the starting horn setting the runners off on their 21.0975 km race to the finish line.

Makau and Deriba pulled away from the lead pack of six runners shortly after the 10 km mark.  Deriba crossed the 15- km mark in 41:29, with a two second lead over Makau. The two men ran a close race until Makau picked up pace and went to the front at 19 km. He kept his speed steady till the finish to clock his seventh sub- 60 half marathon timing and won the $28,000 first prize. Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich made a remarkable final charge to win the second place after outpacing Deriba Merga in the final kilometer of the race.

“I had aimed for the course record and happy that I could make it. Deriba tried to outpace me three times during the race. But I was able to keep up my speed during the final part. Ras Al Khaimah has been a lucky place for me and I really enjoyed the run in the cool morning climate,” said Makau who had won the second place in the inaugural 2007 RAK Half Marathon and was the winner last year. He will be going to Kenya to prepare for his next race in Rotterdam in April.  

The women’s race was equally exciting with a power packed performance by Dire Tune who finished with the third fastest time in the history of women’s half marathon. The 23- year old Ethiopian ran as part of a bunch of six runners till the 15- kilometre mark but powered ahead spectacularly in the last quarter of the race to establish a clear 30- second lead in the finish line.

“I am very happy for having won my first half marathon title. I was really able to fire up during the last kilometres of the race to build a good lead,” said Dire Tune who will be aiming at the Puerto Rico 10- K event next week and the Boston Marathon. 

“We are happy that RAK Half Marathon has become a world class running event and has proved to be an excellent vehicle by which we can share the wonder and beauty of Ras Al Khaimah with the world,” H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah said.

The USD 5000 prize for the winner among UAE national participants was won by Saif Hamad Al Rashedi

The RAK Half Marathon has total prize money of over USD 400,000, making it the world’s richest half marathon. Around 1681 participants had registered for the half marathon which also had a charity component in support of Aid in Motion, a Dubai- based group engaged in collecting and providing clothing to the needy areas of the East African Rift Valley.