The 2026 Dubai Marathon marked a landmark moment for the region’s most iconic road race: its 25th anniversary. A quarter century after the event first reshaped the endurance landscape of the Middle East, Dubai once again delivered a marathon defined by performance, progressive scale, and that unmistakable atmosphere of ambition that has become its signature. More than 20,000 runners took to the streets on a mild and pleasant February morning, celebrating not only personal milestones but the legacy of a race that continues to attract worldclass athletes in pursuit of records, alongside a global community of recreational runners.class athletes in pursuit of records, alongside a global community of recreational runners.
This year’s edition stayed true to its tradition of unpredictability and opportunity. For the sixth time in the event’s history, the men’s title went to an athlete making his debut — Ethiopian Nibret Melak — while women’s champion and compatriot Anchinalu Dessie shattered her personal best to claim a third consecutive marathon victory. Both performances underscored Dubai’s reputation as a proving ground for rising talent and seasoned contenders alike, showcasing tactical maturity, late race resilience, and reaffirming the Dubai Marathon’s status as one of the most competitive early season tests on the international calendar.race resilience, and reaffirming the Dubai Marathon’s status as one of the most competitive earlyseason tests on the international
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A Landmark Year for a Landmark Race
The 25th anniversary infused the race with a heightened sense of occasion from the start line on Umm Suqeim Road to the final metres along the iconic beachfront finish. Dubai has long positioned itself as a global hub for sport, and the marathon remains one of its most enduring success stories — an event that has grown in size, prestige, and international influence.
The flat, fast course once again lived up to its reputation. Ideal early morning temperatures and light coastal winds created conditions primed for quick running, and the elite fields arrived with unmistakable intent. For many, Dubai served as a springboard into Olympic-year campaigns or a platform to secure qualification marks for major championships later in the season.morning temperatures and light coastal winds created conditions primed for quick running, and the elite fields arrived with unmistakable intent. For many, Dubai served as a springboard into Olympicyear campaigns or a platform to secure qualification marks for major championships later in the season.
Yet the marathon’s appeal extends far beyond the elite echelons. The 10km race and 4km Fun Run drew families, first timers, school groups, and corporate teams into the fold, creating a festival atmosphere that stretched across the city. For countless participants, the anniversary edition offered a chance to realise personal milestones — first-time marathons, comeback races, charity efforts, or simply the joy of running through one of the world’s most dynamic urban landscapes.timers, school groups, and corporate teams into the fold, creating a festival atmosphere that stretched across the city. For countless participants, the anniversary edition offered a chance to realise personal milestones — firsttime marathons, comeback races, charity efforts, or simply the joy of running through one of the world’s most dynamic
Men’s Race: A New Name Joins Dubai’s Roll of Honour
Dubai has a habit of revealing new stars, and 2026 was no exception. The men’s race unfolded in ideal conditions, the familiar rhythmic imagery of a large, confident lead pack clicking through the early kilometres at a pace that hinted at something special. By halfway, the group had thinned, but the tempo remained unrelenting.
The eventual champion, Ethiopian Nibret Melak, clocked 2:04:00 on his Dubai debut — equalling the third fastest time ever run on this course and missing the record by just 26 seconds. He timed his move to perfection. Shifting up through the gears around the 35km mark, he broke clear with a blend of strength and composure that belied his relative inexperience here. His stride stayed fluid along Jumeirah’s long, flat stretches as he drew energy from the crowds and the growing realisation that this debut was his to own.fastest time ever run on this course and missing the record by just 26 seconds. He timed his move to perfection. Shifting up through the gears around the 35km mark, he broke clear with a blend of strength and composure that belied his relative inexperience here. His stride stayed fluid along Jumeirah’s long, flat stretches as he drew energy from the crowds and the growing realisation that this debut was his to own.
Fellow Ethiopian — and Melak’s training partner — Yasin Haji followed him home in second (2:05:52), while third placed John Hakizimana set a national record for Rwanda with 2:06:04. Melak celebrated with runner-up Haji moments after crossing the line.placed John Hakizimana set a national record for Rwanda with 2:06:04. Melak celebrated with runnerup Haji moments after crossing the line.
“I was very well prepared, and it was always my goal to win on my debut,” Melak told media. He trains in the same Addis Ababa camp as Olympic Marathon Champion Tamirat Tola. “My big goal in the future is to break the world record!”
Crossing the line with arms raised, he became the sixth male athlete to win Dubai on debut, joining an aristocracy of champions who have used this race as a runway to global recognition. His performance was a reminder of what makes Dubai unique: a course that rewards courage, a field that demands competitive excellence, and an atmosphere of expectation that inspires athletes to exceed their limits.
Women’s Race: A Lead Lost, A Rising Star Revealed
The women’s race carried a different kind of tension — one built on patience, positioning, and the discipline to keep twitching nerves in check until the moment to strike finally arrived. What began as a controlled, tactical affair erupted into unexpected late drama.
A compact lead group dictated the tempo through halfway, each athlete disguising her intentions as every tentative move was quickly absorbed. The split suggested a contest destined to be decided by nuance rather than raw pace — a race for whoever could best read the shifting rhythms around them.
After 30km, the complexion changed. Three Ethiopians eased clear, probing one another with subtle increases in pace. Among them was Anchinalu Dessie, a late addition to the 2026 Dubai Marathon field, running with a calm, economical style that hinted at a plan held in reserve. Her moment wouldn’t come until 40km — but when it did, she was ready.
For much of the final quarter, Muliye Dekebo looked the assured winner. She had judged the race superbly, built a controlled but convincing lead, and appeared fully in command. But with just over two kilometres remaining, her rhythm faltered. Sudden stomach issues forced her to slow, and the victory that had seemed inevitable slipped from her grasp in an almost minute lapse in momentum.
Dessie seized her chance with a measured but decisive move, gliding past her compatriot and stretching the gap all the way along the beachfront to the finish. At just 23, she crossed the line in a stunning personal best of 2:18:31 — nearly four minutes quicker than she had ever run — securing the biggest win of her young career. Dekebo held on bravely for second in 2:18:43, with fellow Ethiopian Fantu Worku completing the podium in 2:19:08.
The performance underlined Dessie’s rising reputation: three marathons, three victories. After winning on debut in Seville in 2:22:17 and adding a second triumph in Beijing in November 2025 (2:26:08), Dubai marked her most complete display yet.
“I thought I could still win it in the latter stages of the race, and while it’s nice to run a personal best, I think I can even run faster in the future,” she said afterwards — her time already standing as the world leading mark for 2026.leading mark for 2026.
Once again, Dubai proved itself a race that rewards not only speed but intelligence, patience, and the courage to commit when the decisive instant arrives. It reinforced the event’s reputation for producing champions who merge tactical nous with worldclass endurance.
Awards, and Support Partners
After the race, the top three elites in each category received their medals and trophies from HE Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council. Including the 10km and 4km events, the 25th Dubai Marathon attracted 20,000 entries — a record 4,000 of them in the marathon.
The 2026 Dubai Marathon was supported by ASICS, Dubai Sports Council, MG Motor, the Channel 4 Radio Network, ITP Media Group, Bisleri Water, Vitamin Well, Dubai RTA, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, and Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection by IHG.
A Celebration of Community and Wellbeing
While the leading international athletes captured the headlines, the heart of the 2026 Dubai Marathon lay in the thousands of runners who filled the course with colourful determination — a tapestry of back stories, ambitions, recoveries, and personal triumphs. The anniversary edition placed renewed emphasis on health, wellbeing, and community participation, values now woven into Dubai’s sporting identity.
Families ran together in the 4km Fun Run, schoolchildren raced with unbridled enthusiasm, and corporate teams used the event as a platform for team building and charitable fundraising. The 10km race, always a crowd favourite, drew runners of every ability — from seasoned club athletes chasing personal bests to newcomers discovering the joy of organised running for the first time.
Volunteers, medical teams, and event staff played a crucial role in the day’s success, delivering smooth logistics and a welcoming environment for participants from more than 100 nations. Their contribution underscored the collaborative spirit that has defined the Dubai Marathon since its inception.
ES Sport was proud to support and assist the 2026 Dubai Marathon. From breaking news and exclusive access to premium hospitality, curated travel, and unrivalled coverage of major sporting events and community initiatives across the Middle East, ES Sport brings fans closer to the action. Follow our stories, insights, and experiences to stay ahead of the highlights and be part of the region’s most exciting sporting moments.
Dubai’s Enduring Legacy in Global Distance Running
Over 25 years, the Dubai Marathon has grown from a regional fixture into a cornerstone of the global running calendar. Its reputation for fast times, outstandingly talented fields, and impeccable organisation has drawn Olympic medallists, world champions, and rising stars seeking the breakthrough performance that might propel them to the very pinnacle of the sport.
The 2026 edition reinforced that legacy. It showcased Dubai’s ability to blend worldclass athletics with mass participation, to celebrate both elite achievement and grassroots engagement, and to deliver an event that mirrors the city’s broader vision for sport, health, and community.class athletics with mass participation, to celebrate both elite achievement and grassroots engagement, and to deliver an event that mirrors the city’s broader vision for sport, health, and community.
As the marathon looks ahead to its next quarter century, its trajectory feels unmistakably upward. The combination of world-leading infrastructure, international appeal, and a passionate running community positions Dubai to continue shaping the future of distance running — in the region and far beyond.leading infrastructure, international appeal, and a passionate running community positions Dubai to continue shaping the future of distance running — in the region and far beyond.
A Silver Anniversary to Remember
The 25th anniversary of the Dubai Marathon was more than a milestone – it honoured everything the event has come to represent – ambition, inclusivity, excellence, and the belief that sport can unite people across cultures and continents.
From the champion athletes who wrote their names into the record books to the thousands who crossed the finish line with smiles, tears, and stories they will carry for life, the 2026 edition captured the spirit of a race that continues to inspire.
Dubai once again delivered a marathon worthy of its reputation — fast, vibrant, globally inclusive, and fondly memorable. And as the sun rose over the Arabian Gulf on a morning filled with perfect possibility, it was clear that the next 25 years promise even more.
ES Sport (formerly Expat Sport), based in the UAE, has been closely associated with the Dubai Marathon for many years. We provide unrivalled coverage and services across major sporting events and community initiatives throughout the Middle East — from exclusive venue access, premium hospitality, and curated travel to insightful event specific features and breaking news blogs. Our mission is to bring sports fans and corporate partners closer to the heart of the action and the region’s most memorable sporting occasions.specific features and breakingnews blogs. Our mission is to bring sports fans and corporate partners closer to the heart of the action and the region’s most memorable sporting occasions.
