Ethiopian trio Tamirat Tola, Seifu Tura, and Ababel Yeshaneh are set to headline the star-studded lineup at the 2024 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, adding a new layer of excitement to the prestigious event.
The race, scheduled for 24 February, is poised to become a showcase of international distance running talent, with these three accomplished athletes set to grace the starting line.
Tamirat Tola, the former World Marathon Champion, is no stranger to victory on the global stage. Fresh from his triumph at the 2023 New York Marathon, Tola is ready to make his debut in the emirate, armed with a personal best of 59:13.
Familiar with the flat, fast roads of the Middle East, he previously claimed victory at the Dubai Marathon in 2017, making him a formidable contender for the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon title.
Seifu Tura, the Chicago Marathon winner, will return to the iconic Al Marjan Island route, where he set an impressive half marathon personal best of 58:36 two years ago.
At 26 years old, Tura boasts a stellar distance running career, including a remarkable victory in the 2021 Chicago Marathon. With multiple top-six finishes in major marathons, he adds significant depth to the competition.
On the women’s side, Ababel Yeshaneh, the former Half Marathon World Record Holder, is set to kick off her 2024 season in Ras Al Khaimah.
The 32-year-old Ethiopian, who previously set the Half Marathon World Record of 64:31 on Al Marjan Island in 2020, brings a wealth of experience and fond memories to the race.
Yeshaneh’s personal best at the distance remains unmatched, making her a formidable force in the women’s competition.
These three Ethiopian stars will join an already elite field, including men’s defending champion Benard Kibet Koech and the reigning Olympic Marathon Champion and three-time World Half Marathon Champion Peres Jepchirchir.
The Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, will not only feature top-tier elite distance runners but also offer races at 10km, 5km, and 2km for athletes of all ages and abilities.
As the countdown begins, anticipation builds for a thrilling and memorable event in the heart of the Gulf.
