Elite Fields primed for 19th Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon
Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (February 12): The Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon will return for its 19th edition on February 14th, with four races held exclusively on Al Marjan Island and an exciting elite field brimming with international experience and promising potential.
Hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon has been a firm favourite since its launch in 2007, bringing together community runners and world-class elites alike.
Featuring the classic titular 21.1km half marathon race, the event will also offer races at 10km, 5km and 2km for athletes of all ages and abilities.
While three-time Half Marathon World Champion Geoffrey Kamworor of Kenya leads the male elite field with a personal best of 58:01, many of his elite rivals are well capable of edging out the 2013 RAK Half Marathon winner. Fellow Kenyan Isaia Lasoi – third in RAK in both 2024 and 2025 – has stated he wants
The Kenyan duo will be joined on the start line by 2024 Seoul Marathon winner Jemal Yimer Mekonen (58:32) - who in seven years has only once finished outside the top three in a major race – former New Delhi Half Marathon winner Amedework Walelegn (58:40), and potential superstar 20 year-old Yismaw Dillu, winner of the 2025 Cardiff Half Marathon in Wales (59:23).
Like Kamworor for the men, another former Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon winner leads the women’s field. In 2020, Ethiopian Ababel Yeshaneh ran a spectacular 64:31 world record in the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon but she will not have it her own way in the UAE this weekend.
Also in the field is Kenyan Gladys Chepkurui (65:46) who has focused on the half marathon over the past three years competing 18 times over the distance consistently producing strong results and winning in Italy, Thailand, Japan and Kenya. Her compatriot Jesca Chelangat (66:13) is another consistent top three finisher at 10km and was third in Ras Al Khaimah twelve months ago.
Should the race produce a surprise contender, it could well come in the shape of 19 year-old Melal Siyoum. The Ethiopian teenager has competed in just one race outside her home country, finishing runner-up in a highly-competitive race at the New Delhi Half Marathon last October in 67:21. Since then, she has focused on training in Addis Ababa for her next outing and she could be ready to make an impact on one of the world’s fastest half marathon courses.
The elites get the event underway at 6.15am before the masses take on the half marathon challenge at 7.00am. The 10km Road Race will get begin at 8.30am before the 5km and 2km participants start at 10.00am.
The 2026 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon is also sponsored by ASICS, Channel 4 Radio Network. ITP Media Group, Bisleri and Vitamin Well.
