Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon

History

The first event, in 2007, saw Samuel Wanjiru breaking the world record, but Wanjiru himself set a new world record only a month later in another race. In the 2009 event Patrick Makau won by running what was, at the time, the second fastest half marathon ever.

Further sub-60-minute performances came in the men's race in 2010, but it was women's winner Elvan Abeylegesse who was the most impressive runner at the fourth edition: her time of 1:07:07 was not only the fastest ever for a debut half marathon run, but it also placed her as the sixth fastest ever woman over the distance. The race saw its first women's world record performance in 2011, as Mary Keitany became the first female under the 66-minute mark with her winning time of 1:05:50.

The 2013 saw a race first with three men under 59 minutes, while winner Geoffrey Kipsang was two seconds off the course record. The women's race re-wrote the all-time rankings as Lucy Kabuu ran the second fastest time ever to win in 66:09 minutes and Priscah Jeptoo and Rita Jeptoo (second and third) both entered the top five all-time fastest. Demonstrating significant depth, records for the fastest women's times by finishing position were broken from second place up to eleventh place.

Winners

Key:   Course record