The Dubai Marathon will celebrate its 25th edition on February 1, 2026, with a record 20,000 runners expected across all race categories.

Dubai is set to celebrate a major milestone on the global athletics calendar as the Dubai Marathon marks its 25th edition on Sunday, February 1, 2026, with the largest participation in the event’s history. Recognised as the Middle East’s oldest international marathon, the race continues to strengthen Dubai’s position as a major destination for elite and community running.

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Held with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, the 2026 edition is expected to attract around 20,000 runners, including nearly 4,000 participants in the full 42.195km marathon, alongside more than 15,000 runners competing in the 10km Road Race and 4km Fun Run.

Widely regarded as one of the fastest and flattest marathon courses in world athletics, the Dubai Marathon has built a reputation as a platform for breakthrough performances. Since 2012, eight male winners have claimed victory on their marathon debut, reinforcing the race’s status as a proving ground for emerging talent.

British Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead, speaking at the pre-race press conference, highlighted the event’s broader impact beyond elite competition. He described the Dubai Marathon as a race that brings together performance, inclusivity, and community, noting that his ambitious challenge of completing 100 marathons in a year began in Dubai. Whitehead emphasised that the marathon continues to inspire runners of all ages and abilities, underlining its role in promoting both physical and mental well-being.

On the elite front, Ethiopian Gadisa Berhanu arrives in Dubai as one of the leading contenders after winning the 2023 Sevilla Marathon in 2:04:59 and securing a second-place finish at the 2025 Lisbon Marathon. Confident heading into race day, Berhanu said his preparation has gone well and that he is aiming to challenge for victory.

The elite men’s race will start at 5.45am, with Ethiopia’s Fantu Worku leading a competitive women’s field. Worku made an impressive marathon debut at the Berlin Marathon, finishing fifth in 2:21:57, and brings strong half-marathon credentials, including a runner-up finish at the 2024 Rome Half Marathon.

She will be joined by Anchinalu Dessie Geneneh, who has enjoyed a flawless start to 2025 with two marathon victories, including a personal best of 2:22:17 on debut in Sevilla, followed by a win in Beijing. Also in contention is Tigst Getnet, who previously recorded a personal best of 2:23:17 at the Dubai Marathon at just 19 years of age.

Former world record holder Paula Radcliffe noted that the Dubai Marathon has evolved into a global running community, attracting participants from across continents not only for its speed-friendly course and strong organisation, but also for its welcoming atmosphere. She observed that the city has grown alongside the marathon and predicted the event would continue to thrive for decades to come.

While global television attention will focus on the elite races, organisers emphasise that community participation remains at the heart of the event. For the first time in its history, all runners across all race categories will share a single finish line at the Dubai Police Academy parade ground, creating a unified race-day experience.

Event Director Peter Connerton confirmed that marathon participation has reached a record high, with close to 4,000 runners taking on the full distance, a significant increase compared to previous years. He said the rise reflects growing confidence within the local running community and highlighted the new finish location as a major enhancement, allowing for a larger runners’ village and improved post-race experience.

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Race-day logistics will see the elite marathon start at 5.45am, followed by the general marathon field at 6.30am, the 10km race at 8.00am, and the 4km Fun Run at 10.00am. The Dubai Metro will operate from 5.00am to support participant and spectator movement.

Beyond competition, the marathon will once again serve as a platform for social impact through Run for Humanity, a community initiative led by Dubai Humanitarian. Now in its second year, the campaign encourages runners and supporters to raise awareness and funds for humanitarian causes via YallaGive, transforming participation into measurable impact.

The 2026 campaign brings together 15 international non-profit organisations working across health, education, humanitarian relief, protection, and social development.

The 25th Dubai Marathon is supported by ASICS, Dubai Sports Council, MG Motor, 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.