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<p">It might well be a question for a quiz question master
with a keen interest in track and field athletics: Why will the Standard
Chartered Dubai Marathon 2006 begin six weeks late? The new date of February 17
instead of January 6 can be explained as follows: two days before the race, the
death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Raschid al-Maktoum was announced. Official mourning
for the ruling emir began straightaway and was due to last for 40 days. Most
athletes as well as managers and journalists were already in Dubai
or had received the news during their flight to the United
Arab Emirates.
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