DUBAI // Despite the growing pressure on him to set a 27th world record, as well as the incentive of a $1 million (Dh3.67m) bonus if he does, Haile Gebrselassie could not appear more relaxed ahead of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.
Juggling a full programme of media and sponsor commitments yesterday, the man who has a fair claim to being the most laid-back in sport was left in no doubt as to what everyone expects from him this weekend. After all that, it seems the prospect of a 42km jaunt around the streets of Dubai, starting at 6.30am tomorrow is all the more appealing.
"Running is the best medicine for stress," Gebrselassie, 35, said with his trademark smile as broad as ever. "That is why I am always so happy."
The Dubai race is now established among the best marathons in the world, thanks mainly to the richest purse on offer.
Its appeal has been broadened for the past two years by the presence of the Ethiopian icon, and by the very real prospect that the world record of 2hrs 3mins 59 secs is achievable over the fast course.
Gebrselassie arrived 12 months ago, for his first race in the emirate, with similar pressure on him to set a new world's best. He failed to do so, but still clocked the second-fastest time for a marathon.
"Breaking the world record is not a major issue," he added. "I have been running for 20 years. If it happens, then good. If not, I'll try again next time."
The organisers of the race make no apologies for the fact they have geared the changes to the course with the record in mind.
The marathon is in its 10th year and the course has changed every year. The latest redesign means the incline leading from Jumeirah to Zabeel near the end of last year's course is not applicable. Cyclists will also be on patrol at the Madinat Jumeirah junction with the task of making sure the athletes follow the fastest racing line.
Paul Hodgson, the course designer, said: "I believe this year's route is faster than last year's.
"It is virtually flat throughout, with the only slight downhill section being on the return leg.
"The last 8kms are in a perfectly straight line, with the towers of the Dubai Marina looming large, and hopefully that will inspire Haile to break the world record."
Meanwhile, Birhane Adere is also bidding to stave off several young upstarts in the women's race.
Gebrselassie's closest rivals in the men's event are all within a year of his age, 35. Adere, meanwhile, is giving away at least 10 years to the two biggest threats to her Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon title.
Adere set a course record in last year's race when she came home in 2hrs 22mins 42secs. She was spurred on by two fellow Ethiopians Askale Tafa, 24, and Besunesh Bekele, 25. Both have returned for tomorrow's race.
Adere said: "We will see how we are going to the race to see if we can break the course record again.
"We will see what the conditions are tomorrow to see if it possible. It is quite cool in the mornings, which should be helpful for us.
"Having Haile in the field for the men's race is nice as it brings a lot more supporters out, and everyone is always very happy to see him."
The marathon starts at 6.30am tomorrow, from outside the Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina. The 10km road race starts at 6.45am, followed at 11am by the 3km fun run.
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Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
MATCH INFO
Tottenham Hotspur 1
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
The Letter Writer
Director: Layla Kaylif
Stars: Eslam Al Kawarit, Rosy McEwen, Muhammad Amir Nawaz
Rating: 2/5
Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
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Memory: 12GB
Capacity: 256/512GB / 1TB
Platform: Android 12, One UI 4.1.1
Main camera: Triple 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) + 50MP wide (f/1.8) + 10MP telephoto (f/2.4), dual OIS, 3x optical zoom, 30x Space Zoom, portrait, super slo-mo
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, full-HD@30/60fps, HD@30fps; slo-mo@60/240/960fps; HDR10+
Cover camera: 10MP (f/2.2)
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A QUIET PLACE
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Djimon Hounsou
Director: Michael Sarnoski
Rating: 4/5
Nepotism is the name of the game
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad.
AIR
Director: Ben Affleck
Stars: Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
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Results
6pm: Dubai Trophy – Conditions (TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Silent Speech, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby
(trainer)
6.35pm: Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m
Winner: Island Falcon, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Dirt)
1,400m
Winner: Rawy, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
7.45pm: Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Desert Fire, Hector Crouch, Saeed bin Suroor
8.20pm: Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Naval Crown, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.55pm: Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Al Tariq, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watsons
9.30pm: Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Dubai Icon, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company