Dubai was chosen by HUGO Council members following the presentation of a competitive bid by a team consisting of members of the Dubai-based Centre for Arab Genomic Studies (CAGS), a division of the Shaikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB).

The Human Genome Meeting is a series of annual conferences organised by the Human Genome Organisation.

dubai marathon 2009

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will take place on January 16, 2009.

Fresh from breaking his own world marathon record and becoming the first man to run under 2h:04m, Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie has confirmed his participation in the event.

Fresh from breaking his own world marathon record and becoming the first man to run under 2h:04m, Ethiopian running legend Haile Gebrselassie has confirmed his next major appearance will be in the $2 million Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on January 16, 2009.

The news once again underlines the global standing of Dubai as host to the world’s richest running event, held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, and staged under the aegis of the Dubai Sports Council. As well as a prize-fund of $1 million, the race also offers a world record bonus payout of an additional $1 million, courtesy of Dubai Holding.

“We have been in discussions with Haile and his management ever since he performed so brilliantly in Dubai earlier this year,” said event director Peter Connerton. “Our team flew to Germany last week to finalise the details but we didn’t want to release the news out of respect for the Berlin Marathon. Now he has smashed the world record again, we look forward to Haile coming back to Dubai in 2009.”

In the German capital, Gebrselassie further cemented his incredible running legacy with a world record time of 2h:03m:59s – the 26th world record of his astonishing career and his third win in the Berlin Marathon.

The last three times ‘Geb’ has run the 42.195km event – Berlin in 2007 and 2008 and in Dubai earlier this year - he has set the three fastest times in history. Beating the record yet again in Dubai is the 35 year-old’s next marathon target following a 15km race in Melbourne in November.

“Considering he was nursing a calf injury prior to running in Berlin, setting another world record is an amazing achievement by Haile,” said Ahmed Al Kamali, Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon General Co-ordinator, President of the UAE Athletics Federation and Al Ahli Club Board Member.

“His appearance in Dubai in January this year took the standing of the Dubai Marathon to a new level. Although he narrowly missed out on the world record, he was warmly welcomed and received a great ovation from his thousands of supporters. I’m sure we’ll see more of the same in three months time and we’ll do all we can to give him every chance of breaking the world record in Dubai.”

The man himself believes he can go even faster. During training for Berlin, he was running quicker than at any time in his marathon career.

“After the race (Berlin), I didn’t feel so tired,” he said. “It feels great to be the first man under 2.04 in the marathon. Myself, I can do 2.03 something - if I don’t get injured, maybe 2.02.59, but considering my shape and my age, 2.03.30, or 2.03.20.”

Date: 16 January, 2009

Venue: Starts from Dubai World Trade Centre.

1 Festival. HipHop, RnB, Garage, House & Reggae Info:Standard ticket Dh185. VIP Dh300. 043379470 for info Souled Out feat. Bubba Sparxx Date: December 9 Venue: Alpha Description: Whiter than Eminem ever was Bubba has been making waves recently. Do not miss. Info:Dh100 on the door.

Dh50 for Platinum List Registered guests. 047022640 for info BlacklistplaysBrutal Metal Date: December 10 Venue: Touch - 4 Points by Sheraton Description: Weekly rock and metal night brings the heavy guns in w/ music from Obituary, Six Feet Under, Bloodbath, etc. Info:Call 04-3977444 for info Maroon5 Date: December 10 Venue: The Palladium Description: The soft rockers bring their hits to Dubai’s latest concert venue Info:Dh235 / 295. 04-3676699 or www.livenation.ae/maroon5 for more info or to buy tickets M PukkaUpw/Greg House and Conoron Sax Date: December 11 Venue: Plan B Description: Pukka Up - the household name in synonymous with snog-clubbing, takes up residency at Plan B.

Info:Contact 0501508610 or 050-3508167 for bookings SYNTHgoesIndie Date: December 11 Venue: Alpha Description: The coolest and most adventurous in Indietronica, Rude Larry and Da:Funct run the musical gambit.

Info:www.alphaclub.ae Free entry for ladies all night. Crew discounts.

Sting & Edin Karamazov Date: December 12 Venue: The Palladium Description: Formerly of the Police, Sting performs with the world’s finest Lute player, Kara : December 6 e:36oo _ J L Hotel ription:And Body Music) lby Lance anc 1Jinx mazov Info:Ticket prices and hotline details yet to be confirmed, but contact the Palladium on 043676699 Audio tonic Sunset Sessions feat Andre Kronhert Date: December 12 Venue: 360° - Jumeirah Beah Hotel Description: Sumptuous House music for a sexy clued up musical crowd- need anything else? Info:www.platinumlist.com for guestlist. No list, no entry.

Regular Nights SensualSundays Date: Every Sunday Venue: Plan B Info: Contact 043244777 or go to www.wafi.com Description: Alongside special monthly guest DJs, Gary Howard spins Funky Pumpin House.

Complimentary Mojitos Old School Club Classics Date: Every Monday Venue: Zinc Info: 800-CROWNE for info Description: Old school club classics with Rohann Nunez PartyPete Date: Every Monday Venue: Underground Info: Free entry, drinks, promos available. 04 3995000 for bookings Description: Versatile solo musician Pete plays blues, rock and latino in the pub 1001 Nights Date: Every Monday Venue: Boudoir Info: 050 2195959 for bookings. Free shots for ladies all night Description: Persian dance fusion playing the latest Farsi-friendly crossover tunes GirlsNight Date: Every Tuesday Venue: Plan B Info: Free entry.

Table bookings call 050 4527266. E-mail kersh.

moodley@wafi.com Description: It’s a night for girls (does exactly what it says in the tin.

You gotta love that, right?) Mojo Revival Sessions Date: Every Friday Venue: Alpha Info: Dh250 all you can eat & drink from 4pm. 04 7022640 for bookings Description: Greatfood and great tunes from Paul Nolan, Sean O’Shea and Mike Ross. Make it your regular Friday hangout.

Neo Date: Every Friday Venue: Tribe, Crowne Plaza Hotel Info: From 10pm 3am. Entry Dh70. Call 800-CROWNE Hush Date: Every Friday Venue: Plan B Info: Free entry for ladies. For table bookings call 050 4527266 Description: Persian Club night from the peeps at Euromedia Peanut Butter Jam Date: Every Friday Venue: Wafi Rooftop Info: Free entry Description: Live music from loads of local bands. Bean-bags, beverages and barbecue Friday Fizz Date: Every Friday Venue: Ginseng, Wafi Info: Free entry. Call 04 3244777 Description: Brunch time bubbles and cocktails WARPED Date: Every Friday Venue: Touch, Four Points Sheraton Info: For bookings call 050 7281184. iceclubbing@gmail.com Description: Your alternative Friday Night with DJ Adam