DUBAI, 7 January 2005 — Going five-for-five, Kenya and Ethiopia will be the countries most likely to produce the winner when the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2005 is flagged off from the Dubai World Trade Center today.

Between them Kenyans Wilson Kibet and Joseph Kahugu took the honors between 2000 and 2003 with Kibet winning an unprecedented three consecutive title from 2000-2002. Last year, however, it was an Ethiopian double as Gashaw Melese and Lela Amman raced off with the men’s and women’s titles and the two African heavyweight nations of long distance running are expected to provide the majority of the high end finishers today.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister of Defense and Crown Price of Dubai, the marathon will see the runners set off and finish under the shadows of the Emirates Towers and the Dubai World Trade Center. Among those likely to be among the leaders are Kenyans Joseph Mutunga Mbithi and Willy Cheryuiot, and Ethiopia’s Demissie Ashebir. Although Cheryuiot needs no introduction thanks to four consecutive wins in the Eindhoven Marathon, 29-year-old Mbithi is an unknown quantity but comes to Dubai tipped for greatness.

After showing great potential in Kenya, he made his first visit to the USA for a series of road races at the beginning of 2004. Unfortunately a persistent injury dashed his US running plans and he returned to Kenya last March to recover from his injury. Since then, he has recovered his old sparkle is expected to make a strong appearance on his Dubai debut.

Ashebir has also seen his performances improve over the past few years and comes to Dubai with a sub 2h:10m to his name from a fifth place finish at the 2003 Rotterdam Marathon. But while many eyes will be on the big guns, the event won’t be all about the superstars of long distance running. Event sponsors Standard Chartered will have more than 600 staff and their families running across the three event categories — Marathon, 10km and 3Km Fun Run — in what is a major show of support for its own sponsored event.

In addition to title sponsors Standard Chartered, other sponsors of the 2005 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon are JW Marriott, adidas, Dubai Radio Network (DRN), Deira City Centre, Khaleej Times, Aquafina, Isostar, DWTC, Dutco and Khansaheb.