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03 February 2025

Fridah Mweu & Dennis Cheruiyot Make Their Mark in Dubai’s Running Scene

Kenyan distance runners Fridah Mweu and Dennis Cheruiyot have wasted no time stamping their authority on the UAE running circuit during their extended training and competition trip supported by Everybodies and DBA Africa. In just the first weekend, the duo secured major wins, broke personal bests, and thanks to DBA and Everybodies gained invaluable experience in a highly professional training environment.

A Winning Start for Dennis Cheruiyot AKA the Running SchoolBoy

The trip kicked off with Dennis Cheruiyot dominating the Ultimate Athletics 3km race, clocking a personal best of 8:44 minutes to claim victory. The performance set the tone for the weekend, showcasing his explosive speed and endurance. Dennis has been training for marathons until November last year where he wanted to move down to the shorter distances so moved to Iten to do so. Therefore, the wins in these races are even more impressive as his training programme and body are still adapting.

Fridah Mweu’s Breakthrough at RAK Half Marathon

The next day, Fridah Mweu took on the RAK Half Marathon, one of the fastest and most prestigious half-marathons globally, known for producing world records. Running among general entrants, Fridah put in a career-defining performance, finishing as the 12th female overall with a massive four-minute personal best of 69:49 minutes.

This achievement officially places Fridah in the elite category, having now broken the elusive sub-70 minute barrier. She finished 12th overall in the highly competitive international field, placing as the 3rd fastest Kenyan in the race which should mean she gets bumped up to run with the Elite pack next weekend at the Burj2Burj. The overall winner clocked a world-leading time, proving just how elite the competition was.

"The conditions, the organization, and the support here make a huge difference. Everyone wants to help you get the best time out of yourself. In Kenya, we don't always get access to ice baths, professional recovery plans, or precise race timing—and that all adds up when you're competing at this level. It was also amazing to have so many Kenyan fans cheering, they were everywhere and mopped me at the end which always makes you feel good.’ said an exhausted but ecstatic Fridah after running her career best race.

Sketchers 10K Dominance

The following day, shaking off any exhaustion from the day prior, Fridah and Dennis took on the Sketchers 10K, using it as a recovery race. Even without pushing to their limits, both secured dominant wins, proving their class over multiple distances.

Dennis who has traveled abroad for the first time commented. "Here, the structure is on another level—nutrition, supplements, daily massages, ice baths, and organized recovery protocols. Back home, we do our best, but access to these resources is limited. Now, I see what it truly takes to run with the best."

Learning from the Best

A key part of their success has been the unmatched support from

and former athlete turned Coach Andy Clements, who have ensured the duo gets the best of everything. The experience is more than just about races—it’s about adopting a professional athlete mindset, understanding that small details make the biggest difference.

With a full week of training and recovery ahead, the duo is now preparing for their next major challenge The Burj2Burj race next Sunday, which promises to be a thrilling finale to their Dubai experience.

As they continue their journey, the lessons learned in nutrition, structured recovery, and elite-level preparation will be crucial when they return to Kenya, where such resources are often scarce. But if their performances so far are anything to go by, Fridah and Dennis are well on their way to joining the world’s best.

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