Dubai Marathon

Supported by Dubai Sports Council, Middle East’s Oldest International Road Race to Welcome Runners from Over 140 Countries Dubai, UAE – The organising committee of the Dubai Marathon has officially opened registration for the 25th edition of the iconic race, set to take place on February 1, 2026. Celebrating its silver jubilee, the Dubai Marathon – the Middle East’s oldest international road race – will mark a significant milestone in its illustrious history with special activities and elite-level competition. Held with the continued support of the Dubai Sports Council, the race is renowned for its flat, fast course that has attracted elite athletes and running enthusiasts from across the globe. With participation expected from over 140 countries, the event remains a cornerstone on Dubai’s sports calendar and a key fixture in the global marathon circuit. Recognised as the first race in the region to earn the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label, the Dubai Marathon has become synonymous with record-breaking performances and world-class participation. Legendary athletes have tackled the route, including Haile Gebrselassie who famously recording the second-fastest marathon time in history during his first appearance in Dubai in 2008, a feat that solidified the race's global standing. Dubai Sports Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the event, highlighting its contribution to the city’s international sports profile and its significant economic impact, particularly through tourism and hospitality. Over the past 25 years, the Dubai Marathon has grown into one of the top ten marathons in the world, drawing top-tier athletes and thousands of amateur runners each year. Alongside the full 42.195km marathon, the 2026 edition will feature a 10km road race and a 4km fun run, offering an inclusive experience for participants of all fitness levels. Registration is now open via the official website dubaimarathon.org Race Director Peter Connerton said: “In coordination with the Dubai Sports opening of registration for the 25th Dubai Marathon. To mark the silver jubilee, we are preparing a year-long series of special events leading up to race day. “Since the inaugural edition, the Dubai Marathon has steadily risen to the top tier of global road racing. Highlights such as the 2008 race featuring Haile Gebrselassie and the ground-breaking 2018 event where seven runners clocked sub-2:05 times for the first time in marathon history have cemented its place among the world’s most prestigious marathons.” Recent editions have seen rising stars make their mark. In 2017, current Olympic champion Tamirat Tola took victory, while in 2019 reigning world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich made her marathon debut with a win in Dubai. Earlier this year, Ethiopian runner Bute Gemechu clinched the men’s title on his debut appearance with a time of 2:04:51, while compatriot Berdatu Hirpa secured the women’s title in 2:18:27, surpassing her personal best after a thrilling duel with 2023 winner Dera Dida. Ahmed Al Kamali, General Coordinator of the Dubai Marathon, emphasised the city’s unmatched infrastructure and readiness to host global sporting events. “Dubai offers world-class facilities, a highly advanced transportation network, and diverse accommodation options, making it an ideal destination for international events,” he said. “The marathon plays a major role in promoting Dubai as a leading tourist and sports hub. We look forward to welcoming runners from around the world as we celebrate the silver jubilee of the Dubai Marathon, the first international marathon in the Middle East.”

A line-up featuring a former world marathon champion, a former marathon world record holder and international city marathon winners from around the globe will line up when the 2025 Dubai Marathon gets underway in the UAE on Sunday (January 12). Staged under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Marathon will celebrate its 24 th anniversary with thousands of runners taking to the area around the iconic Burj Al Arab less than two weeks into the new year. Among them will be a man with special memories of the city. Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa exploded on to the world marathon scene by winning a compelling Dubai Marathon back in 2013. It was the start of a running journey that took him to running glory at the Boston Marathon in 2013 and 2015, the New York Marathon in 2018 before being crowned World Marathon Champion in Doha in 2019. But while Desisa was one of the most successful marathon runners pre-pandemic, the man with the fastest time in the field is Kenyan star Dennis Kimetto – and although his 2:02:57 in Berlin was set a decade ago it was the first sub 2:03 in marathon history and stood for four years. Kimetto has won three big city marathons during his career – Chicago, Tokyo and Berlin – breaking the course record at each and has fond memories of the UAE having won the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 2012, a feat matched by Desisa two years later in 2014. In the women’s elite field, 2022 Sydney Marathon winner Tigist Girma heads the line- up with a marathon personal best of 2:18:52, while compatriot Zeineba Yimer – winner of the 2023 Barcelona Marathon – and fellow Ethiopian and 2023 Dubai Marathon champion Dera Dida will also have title ambitions for the weekend with personal bests of 2:19:07 and 2:19:24 respectively. The elite men and women competing in the 24 th edition of the Middle East’s oldest and fastest international marathon gathered to meet sponsors and media at a pre- event press conference. “The Dubai Marathon is one of the oldest sporting events on our calendar and a very important date for the city,” said Ali Omar Al Balooshi, Director of Sports Events Department, Dubai Sports Council. “We are delighted to see so many established athletes with us once again and look forward to a memorable race on Sunday.” But while the focus may have been on those who have already produced fast times at the world’s greatest marathon venues, a host of up-and-coming athletes are waiting in the wings ready to write their own headlines in a race renowned for creating new champions. In the past, the men’s race has seen victories for the likes of Desisa, reigning Olympic Champion Tamirat Tola and course record holder Getaneh Molla (2:03:34), while last year’s women’s race witnessed a new course record from Tigist Ketema (2:16:07), a record time for a woman making her marathon debut. Making his Dubai debut this year is British Paralympian Richard Whitehead MBE, marathon world record holder for athletes with bilateral knee amputations who ran the 2024 Chicago Marathon in a record-breaking 2:41:36 in October. A multi-gold medal winning Paralympian in London (2012) and Rio(2016), Whitehead has also achieved four World Championship titles and is looking forward to his first attempt at the Dubai Marathon. “I love the camaraderie of the events, how they embrace all ages, all cultures, and all abilities,” he said. “I think running as an athlete who lives with a disability enables people to see that anything is possible, if you believe in yourself.” The international elites will now spend the eve of the event completing last-minute training on the streets and roads of the city before tackling the 42.195km route that starts on Umm Suqeim Street in the shadow of the Burj Al Arab. Late registration for the Marathon, the 10km Road Race and the 4km Fun Run can made online only at dubaimarathon.org with the final chance for run number collection being Saturday (January 11). And for runners looking for transport, RTA Dubai has announced that the Dubai Metro will be open from 5am on race morning. The 2025 Dubai Marathon is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, the Channel 4 Radio Network, ITP Media Group, XIAOMI, JETOUR, Bisleri Water, Dubai RTA, Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality and SIRO One Za'abeel, the first fully integrated Fitness + Recovery hotel in Dubai.