Asics 8 km Race in Dubai

What a waste of effort by the organisers. It's the only 4K and 8K race series in the country. Bib collection without a hitch. Start and finish at a nice golf clubhouse, so we could have breakfast afterwards. Clear announcements. Clear marshalling. Lots of water stations. Chip timing.

The course was SHORT BY 400 METRES. How could they get it that wrong? My pace would have given me a 32-minute PB, but what use is a 30:18 7.6K? Running clubs organise most of the races, and they take trouble over accuracy. This was organised by professionals!

In seven years, it's only the second inaccurate course I've run (as far as I know). The other one was government-organised.

Two redeeming features: I was working in Dubai the day before, so I was spared the 100-mile drive; it was a pretty good social occasion.

Oops. That's got to be embarrassing for the race organizers, Chris. 

Congrats, however, on a PR that will never fall! Unless somebody incorrectly measures a course again, that is.

I'm sure we'd love to see photos from the event...

Frustrating...  We take it for granted here I guess that we can race all over the place almost whenever we want to.  Oh well, great pace nonetheless - 6:25 min/mile is no joke!!!

Impressive Chris, well done !

Well on the positive side great time and effort! On the other end of it I don't understand how race directors continue to mark course distances wrong. Again on the other end 2 races in 7 years marked wrong is still a great %!

Now with the above being said and people experience wrong distances quiet frequently, I have only had this issue once back in 2008. 

Again huge congrats and as always it's inspiring to read about your racing. I hope that I'm doing the same as I approach this part of my master running career.

a great way to ring in the new year.  A 7.6 PR.  Awesome.