Arabham Kiptum, the new world record holder for the half marathon distance, is among the first names to be confirmed for the inaugural Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon in December.
Kiptum won the Valencia Half Marathon in a record 58 minutes 18 seconds last week, shaving off five seconds from the previous best time set by Ethiopian Zersenay Tadesse in Lisbon in 2010.
He will now turn his attentions to trying to triumph in Abu Dhabi when the event takes place on December 7. Joining him will be compatriot Stanley Biwott.
Biwott is a former New York and Tokyo marathon winner and included in the Kenyan team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The 32-year-old had his first major victory in 2015 New York marathon, crossing the line in 2:10:32, 14 seconds ahead of his competition.
_______________
Read more
Abu Dhabi Marathon can be a catalyst to promote a healthy lifestyle, says Paul Tergat
WATCH: Get to know the Abu Dhabi Marathon routes with these walk-through videos
Abu Dhabi Marathon offers runners chance of a 'very fast time'
_______________
Joining their male counterparts are Ethiopian Gelete Burka, silver medallist in the 10,000m IAAF World Championships in 2015, and Kenyan-born Bahraini runner Eunice Chumba Chebichii, silver medallist in the 10,000 metres at the Asian Games in in August.
Burka was the world champion at the 2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships and World Indoor Champion at the 2008 IAAF World Indoor Championships.
Chebichii is currently ranked as the 19th all-time best runner in half marathon history with a record time of 1:06:11, which she achieved during the Copenhagen Half Marathon in 2017.
“The UAE is proud to welcome elite athletes from across the globe to join us for the inaugural marathon in Abu Dhabi,” said Aref Hamad Al Awani, secretary general of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
