Defending Men’s Champion and Women’s World Champion Set for February 24
Registration Open at rakhalfmarathon.com
Ras Al Khaimah (UAE): Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the 17th Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon will see the welcome return of defending men’s champion Benard Kibet Koech and reigning world half marathon and Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir.
The Kenyans are the first two of what is expected to be a constellation of stars at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), on February 24.
Jepchirchir’s standing as one of the world’s all-time greats is underlined not only by her Olympic marathon win in Tokyo, but also by three individual world half marathon titles, and the considerable feat of being the only woman to simultaneously hold the Olympic, New York and Boston marathon titles, which she achieved in the seven months between August 2021 and April 2022.
For good measure, when she won the 2017 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon it was in a then world record of 65m:06s, which remains her best time.
Compatriot Koech is one of many Kenyans recruited to run on one of Japan’s corporate teams. He is similarly unusual in being one of the diminishing number of athletes who combine track with road running and is a 13-minute 5,000 metre runner who also has several 10,000 metre finishes of just over 27 minutes to his name. His victory last year in Ras Al Khaimah in a time of 58m:45s was one of the ten fastest of 2023.
Since its inauguration in 2007, the Ras Al Khaimah race has proved to be one of the fastest half marathons on the international circuit with the race staged around the spectacular sea-side route on the iconic Al Marjan Island.
As well as the likes of Koech and Jepchirchir, the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon will see thousands of runners coming together in the associated 10km, 5km and 2km runs. Registration for the annual Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon is open at rakhalfmarathon.com
Ends
Caption 1: Defending champion Benard Kibet Koech has confirmed his participation in the 2024 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon on February 24
Caption 2: World half marathon and Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir will return to the roads of Al Marjan Island for the 17th Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon
Notes to Editors
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. RAKTDA aims to develop the Emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Authority has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the Emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.
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For any media enquiries, please contact:
Alan Ewens
Media Director
+971 50 4514188
Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
+971 7 233 8998