By IANS
Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) : The Ras Al Khaimah International Half Marathon 2008 is set to witness fierce competition with the world’s best runners participating in the event to be held Feb 8, WAM news agency reported.
The prize for the 21.09-km race is more than $200,000, making it the world’s richest half marathon.
Around 1,700 participants have so far registered for the event, according to race director Nathan J. Clayton.
Leading runners participating in the event, include previous year’s winner and world No.3 Patrick Makau of Kenya, and compatriot Paul Kosgei.
Makau, 22, breached the 60-minute barrier three times in 2007, with the best time of 58.56 minutes.
The women’s event is also poised for fierce competition as leading runners including Inga Abitova of Russia, Atsede Habtamu of Ethiopia and Pamela Chepchumba of Kenya are participating in the race.
The representatives of the Road Running Committee and the medical committee of the International Amateur Athletics Federation would supervise the race to ensure that the results of the race are ratified in time.