by Deji Ogeyingbo
Elite fields set the pace at Dubai’s 25th marathon
Dubai is ready to run again.
On Sunday, February 1, the Dubai Marathon reaches a landmark moment as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Across a quarter century, the race has grown into one of the most recognizable road events on the global calendar, known for speed, scale, and a setting that feels unmistakably Dubai.
From its early years to its current Gold Label status, the marathon has earned a reputation built on simplicity and ambition. The course rewards rhythm as the roads are wide and flat. The climate invites early morning focus. With the continued backing of the Dubai Sports Council, the event remains a destination for elite runners chasing fast times and recreational athletes chasing personal goals.
On race day, the elite marathoners set off at 5:45am, followed by the main marathon field at 6:30am on the campus of the Dubai Police Academy. The half-marathon, 10km road race, and 4km fun run complete a program that welcomes everyone from world-class professionals to first-time runners. Few events manage that balance as seamlessly as Dubai.
The course itself plays a central role in the race’s identity. Starting on the campus of the Dubai Police Academy runners flow along King Salman bin Abduoulaziz Al Saud Street and Jumeirah Beach Road, (two laps on the Jumierah Beach Road section) passing the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel before looping through Palm Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai. The finish arrives at the Dubai Police Academy campus, a visual statement that feels fitting for a race built on scale and spectacle. This year’s edition introduces subtle route refinements, including new turns through Dubai Media City and an adjusted lap structure near the Burj Al Arab, changes designed to maintain flow and clarity.
The men’s elite field brings experience and ambition in equal measure. Gadisa Birhanu leads the lineup after a strong run of form that includes a runner-up finish at the Lisbon Marathon and a top ten performance in Prague. His career best of 2:04:59 from Seville remains a reminder of his ability to deliver on fast courses. Dubai offers an environment that suits his strengths.
Joining him is Berehanu Tsegu, who returns after an impressive marathon debut in Dubai last year, where he finished second in 2:05:14. That performance established him immediately among the event’s most dangerous contenders. His track background adds depth to his profile and suggests further growth at the distance.
Depth in the men’s race is evident with Abera Kuma, a proven performer who has won in Rotterdam and consistently finished in the top positions across major events. Veterans such as Deribe Robi and Aychew Bantie add further strength to a field shaped for pace and resilience.
Fantu Worku arrives as the headline name in the women’s race following an impressive marathon debut in Berlin, where she finished fifth in 2:21:57. Her background on the track and in cross country speaks to a wide skill set that translates well to Dubai’s roads.
She will be joined by rising talents including Anchinalu Dessie Geneneh, fresh from victories in Sevilla and Beijing, and Tigst Getnet, whose personal best was set on these same streets in 2023. Experience arrives through athletes such as Sofia Assefa, whose return to the marathon has been steady and purposeful, and Abebech Afework, a former Dubai standout who continues to race at a high level.
What makes the Dubai Marathon special is the combination of accessibility and ambition, of global stars sharing the same roads as thousands of everyday runners. It is the setting, the sunrise, the rhythm of feet on smooth pavement, and the sense that the city itself is part of the race.
