Ethiopian pair win big at largest Dubai Marathon as 20,000 runners fill the streets
Nibret Melak stuns on debut while Anchinalu Dessie surges to personal best
DUBAI – This year’s Dubai Marathon blended elite excellence with unprecedented participation as the race staged its 25th anniversary edition on Sunday.
A record turnout of around 20,000 runners filled the streets from early morning, making it the largest Dubai Marathon to date.
At the front of the field, Ethiopia’s Nibret Melak and Anchinalu Dessie delivered commanding performances to secure the men’s and women’s elite titles on one of the world’s fastest courses.
Ethiopia shines
Nibret Melak claimed the men’s crown in 2:04:00, producing a standout run in his first ever marathon. The 26-year-old became the 11th debutant to win in Dubai since the race began in 1998, underlining the event’s reputation as a stage for breakthrough performances.
Melak held off fellow Ethiopian Yasin Haji, who finished second in 2:05:52, while Rwanda’s John Hakizimana took third in 2:06:04. Training alongside Ethiopia’s Olympic champion Tamirat Tola in Addis Ababa, Melak added the Dubai title to his credentials as the 2023 African Games champion over 10,000 metres. His winning mark was the third fastest time recorded in Dubai Marathon history, leaving him 26 seconds outside the course record.
In the women’s race, 23-year-old Anchinalu Dessie crossed the line in a personal best of 2:18:31 to seal victory and extend her unbeaten start to marathon running to three races. Her triumph ensured a fifth consecutive Ethiopian double in Dubai, a race long dominated by distance runners from Ethiopia and Kenya.
Dessie’s race turned in the closing stages after a long duel with compatriot Muliye Dekebo. Dekebo led deep into the contest before encountering stomach problems, allowing Dessie to push ahead and build a gap she maintained to the finish.
Dekebo still secured second place in 2:18:43, while Fantu Worku completed an Ethiopian sweep of the women’s podium with third in 2:19:08. For Dessie, the Dubai victory followed previous marathon wins in Seville and Beijing last year, further strengthening her record on the international stage.
Dubai Marathon
Beyond the elite contests, the scale of participation defined the 25th edition. About 4,000 runners lined up for the full 42.2km marathon, while roughly 16,000 took part in the 10km road race and the 4km fun run. The mix of professional athletes, club runners and families created a festival-like atmosphere along the route.
The marathon began at 5.45am from Al Taryam Road near Dubai Police Academy. The course carried runners through Al Sufouh, around Palm Island, past Dubai Media City and Madinat Jumeirah, along Jumeirah Beach Road, before finishing back near the Police Academy. Its flat profile is widely regarded as one of the quickest in global marathon running, offering strong potential for fast times.
The 10km race started at 8am and the 4km fun run followed at 10am, opening the event to runners of varying experience and ability. Supporters lined sections of the course, and views of landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab provided a distinctive backdrop.
Dubai Metro services began at 5am, three hours earlier than usual on a Sunday, to support participants and spectators travelling to the race. Regular Sunday services typically operate from 8am to midnight. Road closures were implemented across key stretches to ensure safety along the route.
Supported by Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Marathon once again brought together elite competition and community participation, with thousands moving through the city streets from dawn as the silver jubilee edition unfolded.