More than 20,000 runners took to the streets of Dubai on Sunday morning as the city celebrated the 25th edition of the Dubai Marathon, with Ethiopian athletes once again stealing the spotlight at the Middle East’s flagship road race.
Ethiopian long-distance runner Nibret Melak claimed the men’s elite title, clocking an impressive 2:04:00 to secure victory in what was remarkably his marathon debut, making him the ninth debutant to win the men’s race in Dubai.
In the women’s elite race, fellow Ethiopian Anchinalu Dessie delivered a commanding performance to take first place, crossing the line in a personal-best time of 2:18:31. The 23-year-old’s composed and powerful run sealed a memorable double for Ethiopia.
The results marked the fifth consecutive Ethiopian double at the Dubai Marathon, a race that has historically been dominated by athletes from Ethiopia and Kenya since its inception.
Established in 1998, the Dubai Marathon has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated sporting events. This year’s silver-jubilee edition featured multiple race categories, including the full marathon (42km), half marathon (21km), 10km road race, and a 4km fun run, welcoming both elite athletes and recreational runners.
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The main marathon course started on Al Taryam Road near the Dubai Police Academy, winding through key landmarks such as Al Sufouh, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Media City, Madinat Jumeirah, and Jumeirah Beach Road, before looping back to the starting point.
With strong international participation and another showcase of elite endurance running, the 25th Dubai Marathon reaffirmed its status as a cornerstone event on the global road-racing calendar.
