The 2025 Dubai Marathon, the 24th edition of the Middle East’s oldest marathon held on January 12th, 2025, showcased an inspirational display of exhilarating athletic performance, with Ethiopian excellence dominating the headlines. 

If you missed out this time but are keen to participate as either a sponsor, spectator or competitor in the 2026 Dubai Marathon, click here and stay informed with ES Sport. 
 
Dubai Marathon Men’s Race Highlights  

Ethiopia’s Bute Gemechu made a triumphant marathon debut, breaking away from the leader group at the 35-kilometre mark and maintaining his advantage to cross the finish line in a world-leading time of 2:04:51. Close on his heels was fellow Ethiopian Berehanu Tsegu, the 10,000 metres champion at the 2019 African Games, securing second place with a time of 2:05:14. Meanwhile, Shifera Tamru fought valiantly to close the gap, finishing third in 2:05:28 to complete the all-Ethiopian podium. 
 
Having become the fifth Ethiopian debutant in a row to win the Dubai men’s race, Gemechu said modestly: “Since I only decided to run the marathon two months ago, I really didn’t know what to expect, but when I got to 36 kilometres, I realised I was going to win.” 
 
Gold medal-winning Paralympian and World Record Holder Richard Whitehead, a British athlete who runs with prosthetic legs, also revelled in his debut Dubai Marathon with a 2:47 finish in the UAE. Although a record-breaking sprinter, for Whitehead the event represented his 81st marathon in total and the first of 20 marathons he is aiming to run this year to complete his ‘100 Marathon Challenge.’ 
 
Dennis Kimetto of Kenya, a former marathon world record holder in 2014 with a performance of 2:02:57, put on his running shoes again and finished a creditable 15th with a time of 2:14:56, ten days short of his 41st birthday. 
 
Dubai Marathon Women’s Race Highlights  

The women’s race saw an emotionally dramatic finale, with Bedatu Hirpa claiming victory in the last 300 metres, overtaking her previous personal best of 2:21:09 set in Amsterdam three months ago with a time of 2:18:27. She had trailed her training partner, Dera Dida, over most of the route but was offered a rare chance to take the lead under bizarre circumstances. The two Ethiopian athletes had already established an unassailable lead over their rivals following a fascinating five-way battle up to the 25-kilometre point. Dida, a Dubai Marathon regular who had taken first place in 2023 and come third in last year’s edition, seemed a likely winner, having eased away with 5 kilometres to go, leaving Hirpa 10 seconds behind entering the final kilometre. Then, disaster struck as Dida suddenly slowed in the last few hundred metres, battling a sudden onset of severe stomach cramps, allowing Hirpa to snatch a narrow win. Despite her obvious distress, Dida finished just five seconds behind Hirpa at 2:18:32, achieving a personal best and displaying exceptional sportsmanship in defeat. 
 
Post-Race Celebrations  

Hirpa celebrated her win by taking off her running shoes and sprinting barefoot back along the home straight, draped in the Ethiopian flag. After consoling her compatriot, Hirpa commented, “I was concentrating so much on my own race, I didn’t realise that Dera was having problems. It was only when the gap between us closed so quickly that I realised I could win. But I always believed I was going to win anyway.” Hirpa provided further entertainment at her press conference when she humorously mentioned that she planned to give her $80,000 prize money to her coach, who jovially refused the offer. 

10km Road Race Highlights  
 
The festival atmosphere continued as later in the day, the 10km race’s women’s winner, Gemene Tunku, managed to edge out her fellow Ethiopian, Chaltu Diriba, with both athletes clocking a world-beating time of 31:03. Scotland’s Eilish McColgan, the European record holder for the 10 km road race and British record holder at 5000 metres, 10,000 metres, 5 km, and half marathon, finished third in 31:14. Meanwhile, Yassir Ech Chaachoui of Morocco won the men’s category with a time of 28:20. 
 
A Global Gathering of Determined Runners  

This 24th edition of the Dubai Marathon attracted over 17,000 participants from around the globe competing over various distances, ranging from the 4 km Fun Run to the 42.195 km main event. The event was not just about the elites but also marked by the presence of many committed amateur runners persevering in different climatic conditions, united in their determination to complete the course. 
 
The 2025 Dubai Marathon celebrated not only a series of excellent winners but also the heartwarming participation of global humanity across all categories, united by the spirit of athletic endeavour and endurance, and the welcoming embrace of the UAE community. It was a brilliant tribute to extraordinary athletic prowess, dramatic finishes, and the dedication of runners from around the world. 
 
 
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