Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon is an annual half marathon held in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
The first edition, 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.[1]
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.[2] 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.[3]
Key: Course record
| Year | Men's winner | Time (h:m:s) | Women's winner | Time (h:m:s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) | 58:53 (WR) | Berhane Adere (ETH) | 1:10:58 |
| 2008 | Patrick Makau (KEN) | 59:35 | Salina Kosgei (KEN) | 1:12:29 |
| 2009 | Patrick Makau (KEN) | 58:52 | Dire Tune (ETH) | 1:07:18 |
| 2010 | Geoffrey Mutai (KEN) | 59:43 | Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR) | 1:07:07 |
| 2011 | Deriba Merga (ETH) | 59:25 | Mary Keitany (KEN) | 1:05:50 |