Ethiopian sensation Berhane Adere will be up against it when she defends her title in the 2009 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 16. Last year, the 35 year-old set a new Dubai record for the women's event when she stormed to victory in a time of 2h:22m:42s to collect gold and the winner's cheque for US$250,000. On that occasion she beat fellow Ethiopian Bezenushe Bekele to the title, and her compatriot is back for another bite at the cherry. And any thoughts of a two-horse race have been blown out of the water after it was confirmed that Askale Tafa Magarsa will also be in the field after finishing third last year. Event director Peter Connerton said: "We are delighted that Berhane will be defending her title in Dubai. Her win and new race record means she is part of the history of our event." General co-ordinator Ahmed Al Kamali added: "It was Bezenushe's first ever marathon so for her to finish second over four minutes better than the previous women's record was a wonderful result. "Haile Gebrselassie's new men's record may have overshadowed the ladies but the top three women in 2008 all broke the previous ladies' best for the event. It just goes to show the quality of field attracted to a race that is now the richest in the world." Adere may have failed to follow up her Dubai win with gold in Beijing this year, but she relishing the prospect of returning to the UAE for another shot at glory. "It was a great race for me in Dubai and I like the course very much," she said. "I was obviously delighted to have won in what was a very good time and I'm looking forward to coming back." Runners still have until December 31 to sign up at www.dubaimarathon.org or at any branch of Fitness First in Dubai.
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