Burj2Burj Half Marathon 2026: Uganda, Kenya runners storm to elite victories in Dubai
Men’s and women’s podiums separated by just seconds
DUBAI – Dubai’s Burj2Burj Half Marathon 2026 delivered fast times and photo-tight finishes on Sunday as Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei and Kenya’s Irine Cheptai claimed elite titles in a highly competitive field.
The 21km race, organised by World’s Iconic and supported by the Dubai Sports Council, attracted more than 13,700 runners from across the UAE and overseas. The early morning start and flat city route produced one of the quickest editions of the race to date.
The race began at 6:30am from Emirates Towers and finished at Jumeirah Gardens, taking participants through a high profile urban corridor lined with spectators. Runners passed major landmarks including the Museum of the Future, Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab, reinforcing the event’s identity as a destination half marathon on the international calendar.
Men’s elite race
The men’s elite race was decided within seconds after a sustained high pace from the front pack. Cheptegei crossed the finish line first in 59:26 to secure victory and record a sub-60 minute performance on the Dubai course. Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir followed closely in 59:28, while Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu took third place in 59:30.
All three podium finishers broke the 60 minute barrier, with only four seconds separating the top three. The closing stages saw a sharp acceleration as the leaders pushed through the final stretch toward Jumeirah Gardens.
Cheptegei, a two time Olympic gold medallist in the 5,000m and 10,000m, added another major road result to his international record with the Dubai win.
Women’s elite race
The women’s elite contest was equally tight, with the top three separated by just four seconds at the finish. Kenya’s Irine Cheptai won the title in 1:06:57 after holding her lead in the closing kilometres.
Fellow Kenyan Daisilah Jerono finished second in 1:06:59, just two seconds behind, while Ethiopia’s Ftaw Zeray secured third place in 1:07:01. The trio remained closely grouped deep into the second half of the race before the final decisive push.
Cheptai, a world cross country champion and major marathon medallist, led a strong Kenyan showing in the women’s standings, with two Kenyan athletes on the podium.
Burj2Burj Half Marathon 2026
Race organisers confirmed participation of more than 13,700 runners across categories, making this one of the largest editions since the event was launched. International athletes represented over 30 percent of the field, reflecting the race’s growing overseas appeal.
Dubai Sports Council officials highlighted the event’s rapid expansion across its editions, with participation rising sharply year on year. The race forms part of the emirate’s broader strategy to promote mass participation sport alongside elite competition.
Prize structure
Cash prizes were awarded to the top ten elite finishers in both men’s and women’s divisions. First place earned Dh40,000, second place Dh20,000 and third place Dh16,000, with payouts extending through tenth position. Additional bonuses were available for performance benchmarks, along with dedicated awards for Emirati runners and age group categories.
Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police and the Roads and Transport Authority coordinated operational support, including medical coverage, hydration stations and route security across the full course.