The Dubai Marathon: Countdown to The 24th Edition Begins
The 24th Dubai Marathon, to be staged on the 12th of January, 2025, is open for registration. A popular event, the Dubai Marathon attracts a wide range of participants including UAE nationals and expatriates, as well as elite international athletes. The Dubai marathon is categorised as a Gold Label Road Race by World Athletics.
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Registration for the Dubai Marathon
Runners who wish to take part in either the main 42.195km race (Entry 18 years and over
– cost 150 USD – start time 7.00am), the subsidiary 10km Road Race (Entry 15 years and over – cost 85 USD – start time 8.15am) or the 4km Fun Run (Entry open to all
– cost 50 USD – start time – 10.30am), are invited to access the official website and sign up.
Please note the earlier starts for elite events: Marathon Wheelchair Elite – start time 5:55am and Marathon Elite – start time 6:00 am. The official website for the Dubai Marathon provides entry forms, route information, and other relevant details.
Dubai Marathon Start & Finish Points
The Marathon and 10km Road Race both start and finish on Umm Suqeim Street, opposite the magnificent Madinat Jumeirah, with the instantly recognisable Burj Al Arab luxury hotel in the background. Otherwise, the start of the 4km Fun Run is off Umm Suqeim Street on Al Sufouh, opposite the Madinat Jumeirah. The finish line, in all cases, is located at the Dubai Police Academy end of Umm Suqeim Street.
The Corporate Challenge
The Dubai Marathon offers another Group Category aimed at companies, enabling them to take part in what is known as ‘The Corporate Challenge.’ A healthy opportunity for firms to be competitive outside the confines of the office and seen as a motivational platform for team building. In order for companies to qualify for Corporate Challenge entry, they must register a minimum of 3 members of staff for the 42.195km race and a minimum of five for the 10K Road Race. At least 3 entrants from a company team are required to finish the marathon and five to complete the road race, then the first 3 and five finishers in their respective events count towards the winning Corporate Team placings.
Prize Money
| Marathon Open | ||
|---|---|---|
| Place | Men (USD) | Women (USD) |
| 1st | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 2nd | 40,000 | 40,000 |
| 3rd | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| 4th | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| 5th | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| 6th | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| 7th | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| 8th | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 9th | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 10th | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Marathon UAE Nationals | ||
| Place | Men (AED) | Women (AED) |
| 1st | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| 2nd | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| 3rd | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Total | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Marathon Wheelchair Open | ||
| Place | Men (AED) | Women (AED) |
| 1st | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| 2nd | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| 3rd | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Total | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| 10km Open | ||
| Place | Men (AED) | Women (AED) |
| 1st | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| 2nd | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 3rd | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Total | 7,000 | 7,000 |
| 10km UAE Nationals | ||
| Place | Men (AED) | Women (AED) |
| 1st | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| 2nd | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| 3rd | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Total | 7,000 | 7,000 |
Last Time Out: Dubai Marathon 2024
The 2024 Dubai Marathon, the 23rd edition of the annual race, took place on Sunday, January 7th, 2024, which also happened to be Ethiopian Christmas Day. A coincidence that produced a double cause for celebration, as Ethiopian runners Addisu Gobena and Tigist Ketema, both making their debuts in the race, took the elite titles in brilliant style.
The 19-year-old Gobena took the men’s title in an outstanding time of 2:05:01, while Ketema clocked an unofficial women’s world record debut, finishing her race with a phenomenal performance of 2:16:07. Somewhat of a surprise, given her apparent initial misgivings about moving up to the traditional 42.195km (about 26.22 mi) distance, now the eighth fastest woman in marathon history while simultaneously breaking the Dubai course record, by 61 seconds. Adding to an already enthralling Dubai Marathon story, junior phenomenon Addisu Gobena’s aunt Ruti Aga – finished as runner-up in the women’s race.
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