The IEC in Sports agency has agreed a four-year deal to distribute the global media rights for the Dubai Marathon on an exclusive basis with immediate effect.
The deal runs through to the end of 2018, with an option to continue for an additional four years. In addition to international media rights distribution, IEC is providing executive television production consultancy and management. This includes graphics and data integration, satellite transmission for live broadcast, digital streaming, social media clips and highlights show production.
Dubai Marathon organisers said IEC will work closely with the host broadcaster, state-owned Dubai Sports Channel, to further the global footprint of the Middle East’s biggest marathon.
The deal has been agreed ahead of the 2015 edition of the event, which takes place tomorrow (Friday). The Dubai Marathon holds ‘Gold Label’ status in the International Association of Athletics Federations’ road race calendar.
Ethiopians Kenenisa Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, and Lelisa Desisa (pictured) – winner of both the Dubai Marathon and the Boston Marathon in 2013 – will both be in the men’s line-up for Friday’s race.