The 18th edition of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, held on February 1st, 2025, showcased another year of compellingly competitive elite running on the fast, flat streets of Marjan Island. This year’s event, hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), attracted over 10,500 runners competing across four different race distances.
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In the men’s race, 27-year-old Kenyan Alex Matata powered to victory over the 21.1km route, achieving a personal best time of 59:20. He won by five seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Gemechu Dida, who finished in 59:25, and another Kenyan, Isaia Lasoi, the pre-race favourite, who came in third just one second later at 59:26. Matata posted a remarkable 30-second improvement on the time he registered at the 2024 Al Sharqiyah International Half Marathon held on December 14, 2024.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian star Ejgayehu Taye, who has been in hot pursuit of the world record, dominated the women’s race, winning in 65:52. She finished well ahead of the Kenyan duo, with Judy Kemboi taking second place in 66:34, making her debut in the event, and Jesca Chelangat securing third in 66:53. Kemboi, whose half marathon personal best stands at 65:43, was eager to return next year, promising a significant improvement in her time at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon 2026.
Two other Kenyans in the race also put in impressive performances, with Veronica Loleo and Brillian Jepkorir, clocking 68:06 and 68:48, respectively.
Both new champions of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon 2025 managed to overcome intensely competitive challenges from a distinguished field of elite international athletes, demonstrating their exceptional endurance and skill.
Despite the exciting outcome, young athlete Alex Matata showed great maturity as he responded calmly to media questions: “It was great to get a personal best time, and I really felt I could win by the 14km mark.’ Matata added, ‘My aim is to regularly run 57-58 minutes for the half, and I won’t be attempting a full marathon for another two years.”
Nonetheless, speaking to the press soon after the race, Matata revealed that he had struggled during the early stages of the race because of adverse weather conditions.
“Although it was not easy for me, I am happy because I improved my time. The race was not so good in the first 10km; it was tough for me. There was a lot of wind, and then I discovered I could be the winner at 15km. I am also very happy because this is my PB. I was aiming to push harder. I am sure that I will also improve my time next time,” he went on to say.
In many respects, the women’s race mirrored the men’s event, featuring fierce competition and constant pressure on the lead. The contestants included both adept, experienced elite runners and a contingent of aspiring, talented new rivals determined to make their mark in distance athletics.
In the final analysis, it was Ejgayehu Taye who had enough left in the tank to break away and leave the field behind, securing her first Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon title. The Ethiopian, already a 10,000m World Championship bronze medallist, had been focused on setting a new world record, which ultimately proved one challenge too far.
Commenting on her race in a media interview, Ejgayehu Taye, while pleased with her victory, acknowledged that the prevailing weather conditions had thwarted her bid for a world record: “I really did expect to run fast this week and had a world record in mind,” she said. ‘Unfortunately, the wind out on the course proved to be too strong, but I am very happy with the win.”
Second-placed Judy Kemboi also enjoyed herself but was already setting up an exciting competitive challenge for 2026, saying: “The course was nice, but I did not manage to run my PB because I was alone throughout from 10km up to the finish, but I feel good. I am happy with the position, and I hope next year I will win. I will remember this race because of the people; they were so amazing,” she added.
With the elite field attracting an outstanding crop of top distance runners as ever, the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon 2025 saw a record number of participants compete across four race categories. Runners of all ages took part in the 2km, 5km, 10km, and half marathon races, reaffirming the emirate’s reputation as a premier host of UAE community bonding sports events. The 19th edition of the event in 2026 looks likely to feature some exciting contests already, promising to be a better event than ever.
DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island was the Official Hotel for the RAK Half Marathon 2025 and the event was also sponsored by adidas, Channel 4 Radio Network, ITP Media Group and Bisleri Water.
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