RAS AL KHAIMAH // A clash in the sporting calendar with the America's Cup has meant the highest accredited road race in the region will be pushed back by a week for the second year in succession. Premier Marathons, the race organisers, were informed late on Thursday that the race, originally scheduled for February 12, will now be held a week later, on February 19, because the emirate's government wants to ensure municipality and hotel services are not stretched.
Nathan Clayton, the race director, said his company would offer a full refund - Dh125 to individuals and Dh500 to teams - to those who registered before midnight on August 27 and are now unable to compete. "The America's Cup gets started on February 8 and while I have not found a duration for the event, we are looking at around nine days," said Clayton yesterday. "Obviously I'm not involved in the America's Cup but it looks like everything should be wrapped up before the Half Marathon, but an event of the magnitude of the America's Cup would require a lot of support from the authorities."
Last year the race was postponed for a week due to the 61st anniversary of the reign of Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed. stregoning@thenational.ae
