2015 Dubai Marathon - Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon

January 23, 2015
Dubai, UAE
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LRC Aselefech Mergia Edges Gladys Cherono in an Epic Stretch Run To Win a Cool $200,000 in Dubai

Ethiopia's Aselefech Mergia is back. The Dubai course record holder prevailed by :01 in an epic final straight battle over World half marathon champ Gladys Cherono to take home $200,000 in the deepest women's marathon ever (top 10) bumping Desi Linden from the fastest 10th place finisher ever.

LRC Total Unknown Hayle Lemi Berhanu Wins Marathoning's Richest First-Place Prize at 2015 Dubai Marathon

This doesn't happen in any other sport. A guy no one anyone has ever heard of (Hayle Lemi), who previously had one international race to his name and not broken 2:10, took home the sports richest prize ($200,000) at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon as Kenenisa Bekele dropped out with hamstring problems that are attributed to an achilles problem.

LRC 2015 Dubai Women's Preview: World Half Champ Gladys Cherono (Debut), Defending Champ Mulu Seboka & CR Holder Aselefech Mergia Headline a Ridiculously Deep Field

2011 NYC champ Firehiwot Dado and five-time World XC medalist Meselech Melkamu are also entered. In total, 12 women in the field have broken 2:24 and 22 have broken 2:28. 

LRC Dubai Men's Preview: Will Kenenisa Bekele Arrive As A Marathon Force In Dubai? Or Will Countryman Lelisa Desisa Win 2nd Title In 3 Years?

Bekele, now working with coach and LRC message board poster Renato Canova, is targeting the course record of 2:04:23 and says he feels more prepared for his third career marathon. Desisa, who just lost out to Wilson Kipsang in New York last year, leads a group of 20 other men who have broken 2:10, including Berhanu Shiferaw (2:04:48) and Feyisa Lilesa (2:04:52).

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