Standard Chartered team prepares for Dubai Marathon

The training programme has been running since November 2008 as participants of all ages and abilities prepare to take on the new Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon course which has been re-routed along Jumeriah Beach road and takes in some of the city's best known landmarks.

The event, set for 16 January 2009, will comprise three race categories - 3km Charity Fun Run, which will raise money for the bank's global charity initiative, Seeing is Believing, a 10km road race and the full 42km marathon. The bank hopes to enter a record number of participants across the board.

The training nights offer participants the chance to enjoy their preparation, as Fitness First professional instructors help to make the training fun and keep the atmosphere light-hearted. This year the UAE Athletics Federation, co-sponsors of the Dubai Marathon, joined the training sessions to help encourage local youth to prepare for their participation in one of the Marathon runs.

The Bank has also been joined at the Training Nights by Adidas and charities Tamkeen and Foresight - which both raise donations for sufferers of blindness caused by hereditary eye disease. Partners of Standard Chartered Bank have encouraged greater involvement from professional and amateur runners, visually impaired and even those as young as six years of age, reinforcing the event's reputation as a mass-participation activity that cuts across all boundaries.

In addition to the three races, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will also create a carnival atmosphere at the start/finish line adjacent to the Westin Hotel, with major attractions including a painting competition for children and a schools 'Battle of the Bands' competition.

Teams or individuals interested in registering for the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2009 can obtain further information by visiting Dubai Marathon website.