Debutant Ethiopian runners dominated the 25th Dubai Marathon, with Nibret Melak and Anchinalu Dessie posting world-leading times to win the men’s and women’s races in front of a record 20,000 participants.

Ethiopian newcomer Nibret Melak extended a remarkable trend at the Dubai Marathon by becoming the sixth consecutive debutant to win the men’s race, as the Middle East’s fastest marathon marked its 25th anniversary with world-leading performances.

Also Read: UAE Integrative Medicine Council Sets Strategic Direction for Evidence Based Holistic Healthcare

Running his first-ever marathon, Melak claimed victory in 2:04:00, equalling the third-fastest time in the event’s history and finishing just 26 seconds shy of the course record. Fellow Ethiopian Anchinalu Dessie also delivered a standout performance, storming to the women’s title in a personal best of 2:18:31, continuing her unbeaten run over the marathon distance.

Melak’s win underlined Dubai’s reputation as a proving ground for first-time marathoners. It was the sixth successive men’s victory by an Ethiopian debutant, and the eleventh debutant winner overall across both races. In favourable weather conditions, Ethiopia’s Yasin Haji finished second in 2:05:52, while John Hakizimana placed third in 2:06:04, setting a new national record for Rwanda.

“I was very well prepared and it was always my goal to win on my debut,“ said Melak, who belongs to the same training group in Addis Ababa as Ethiopia’s Olympic Marathon Champion Tamirat Tola. “My big goal in the future is to break the world record.“

In the women’s race, Dessie was a late addition to the field but made a decisive impact, cutting nearly four minutes off her previous best. Compatriots Muliye Dekebo and Fantu Worku followed in second and third with times of 2:18:43 and 2:19:08 respectively.

Dekebo appeared on course for victory after building a strong lead late in the race, but suffered stomach problems just over two kilometres from the finish. Dessie overtook her at the 40km mark and pulled clear to secure the biggest win of her career.

“I thought I could still win it in the latter stages of the race and while it’s nice to run a personal best, but I think I can even run faster in the future,“ said the 23-year-old, who made it three marathon victories in three races. On her debut Dessie took the Seville Marathon a year ago with 2:22:17 and then won in Beijing in early November with 2:26:08.

Click here to join our WhatsApp channel here

After the race, the top three finishers in both elite categories received medals and trophies from HE Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council. Including the 10km and 4km races, the 25th edition of the Dubai Marathon attracted 20,000 participants, with a record 4,000 runners competing in the full marathon.

The 2026 Dubai Marathon was 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.