With less than a week until the 5th edition of the RAK Half Marathon, anticipation is high for what promises to be an extraordinary event in the UAE. This year’s race features one of the strongest elite fields ever assembled for a half marathon, with nine men having clocked under 60 minutes and eleven women comfortably under 70 minutes.

Elite Fields Overview

Men’s Elite Field

Leading the men’s field is reigning Berlin Marathon champion, Peter Kiprono. At 25 years old, Peter is the third fastest in history with a time of 58:52 from his second RAK win in 2009. He had an outstanding 2010, winning both the Rotterdam Marathon (2:04:48) and the Berlin Marathon (2:05:08), and his eighth sub-hour half marathon win in Rotterdam.

Next is Bernard Kibet, whose 59:10 in the 2009 Rotterdam Half Marathon places him eleventh on the all-time list. Bernard, at 24, is a formidable contender with impressive 10,000m track speed.

Other notable participants include:

• Daniel Tesfaye with a 59:15 personal best.
• Michael Kiplimo, who boasts a 59:15 from 2009 and a second-place marathon finish in Amsterdam last October.
• John Kiptoo, aiming to improve on his 59:23 from Rotterdam 2009.
• Titus Tanui, third place at RAK last year with a personal best of 59:51.

Women’s Elite Field

The women’s field is headlined by Mary Kiprotich, who holds the world record over 25km and is a former IAAF World Half Marathon champion. Mary has broken 67 minutes three times, with her best ten half marathons averaging an impressive 67:57.

Mary’s competitors include:

• Mare Dibaba, who finished second in last year’s RAK Half Marathon with a time of 67:13.
• Dire Kebede, a consistent performer with a 67:18 from the 2009 RAK Half Marathon.
• Aberu Teshome, the Berlin Marathon winner with a personal best of 67:39.

Full Elite Field List

Men’s Elite Field:

• 58:52 Peter Kiprono
• 59:10 Bernard Kibet
• 59:15 Daniel Tesfaye
• 59:15 Michael Kiplimo
• 59:23 John Kiptoo
• 59:51 Titus Tanui
• 59:52 Dickson Mwangi
• 59:56 Getu Alemayehu
• 59:56 Leonard Cheruiyot
• 60:33 Feyisa Bekele
• 61:27 Hafid Hassan

Women’s Elite Field:

• 66:36 Mary Kiprotich
• 67:13 Mare Dibaba
• 67:18 Dire Kebede
• 67:39 Aberu Teshome
• 68:34 Christine Dupont
• 68:40 Hilda Mwangi
• 68:48 Agnes Mutai
• 68:58 Anna Kovacs
• 69:03 Rose Jelagat
• 69:25 Joyce Kiplagat
• 69:50 Eunice Kiptoo

The RAK Half Marathon continues to grow, with over 2,600 participants this year. The event is known for its fast, flat course, and the impressive elite fields promise thrilling performances. Looking to set a new personal best? The RAK Half Marathon offers a perfect opportunity.