 Elite runners lead the pack at the RAK Half Marathon, Ras Al Khaimah. Photo courtesy of Premier Marathons | Feb 2010 (annual)
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The RAK Half Marathon in Ras Al Khaimah is the world's richest half marathon and attracts runners from all over the world for 21km of competitive racing through the streets of one of the lesser known Emirates of the U.A.E.
The prizes up for grabs at the RAK Half Marathon are in excess of US$155,000 and competitive runners can look forward to the prospect of racing alongside (or maybe behind) marathon greats such as Samuel Wanjiru, the 2008 Beijing Olympic men's Marathon winner and IAAF World Half Marathon Championship Berhane Adere.
For those who can't handle the whole course on their own there's also a Team Relay Challenge where four people can complete as a team and run the RAK Half Marathon's 21km collectively, which comes down to about five km per person - much better!
The RAK Half Marathon is also a great excuse to visit and explore another of the seven Emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates. Although Dubai and Abu Dhabi receive most of the publicity, Ras Al Khaimah has a lot to offer. Nestled between the Hajjar Mountains on the east and the Arabian Gulf on the west, it has mountains, sea, fertile plains and of course the beautiful desert.
For those who can't handle the whole course on their own there's also a Team Relay Challenge where four people can complete as a team and run the RAK Half Marathon's 21km collectively, which comes down to about five km per person - much better!
The RAK Half Marathon is also a great excuse to visit and explore another of the seven Emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates. Although Dubai and Abu Dhabi receive most of the publicity, Ras Al Khaimah has a lot to offer. Nestled between the Hajjar Mountains on the east and the Arabian Gulf on the west, it has mountains, sea, fertile plains and of course the beautiful desert.