Government bodies gear up for Dubai Marathon

While thousands are running through the streets of the emirate at Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, behind the scenes a number of Dubai Govt departments will be working to make sure the $1 m race goes without incident for the people of the city.

Around 300 policemen and women from Dubai Police’s Protection and Security, CID and Traffic departments will be on the streets to give the event protective cover when more than 14,000 men, women and children compete in the marathon, the 10km and the 3km Fun Run on Friday.

Joining Dubai Police will be representatives of Dubai Ambulance Service, the RTA, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Health Authority who will work hand-in-hand for what is the biggest mass participation-sporting event in the Middle East.

“The support we receive from the Government of Dubai is vital to the success of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon,” said event director Peter Connerton.

“Before the event, they give a great deal of their time to check out the route with the race officials to ensure that everyone taking part will have a safe and memorable day, while on the day itself they are a key part of our logistics. We thank every department for their magnificent support in making the event one of the key sporting and social occasions in Dubai.”

Held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council and is one of the city’s first major sporting occasions of 2011. From the initial measuring of the route right through to the closure of the roads and providing on-course support for the runners, the Dubai Government departments maintain a close relationship with the event, while ensuring as little disruption as possible for the residents living along the route.

“The police do a great job but they are also helped by the people of Dubai who are very co-operative from start to finish,” said event co-ordinator Ahmed Al Kamali. “Once again we ask that they come out on the course on Friday and give the runners the support they deserve.”

While UAE-based runners are putting in their final days of training in preparation for the big event, elite runners from around the world have arrived in the city and checked into the official hotel The Address Dubai Marina.

The 12th staging of the race comes just a day after it was named the No. 1 Marathon in Asia by athletics website All-Athletics.com. The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon triumphed over all other similar events in Asia to join London (Europe), Casablanca (Africa), Chicago (North and Central America), Gold Coast Airport (Australia) and Sao Paulo (South America) as the regional number one. The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is also supported by The Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Holding, “Official Outfitter” adidas, The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai Eye 103.8 FM, Khaleej Times, TNT, Gatorade, Aquafina, Fitness First, Men’s Fitness, Plan B and by government departments Dubai Police, RTA, Dubai Municipality DHA and the Dubai Ambulance Services.