The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon is the most prestigious running event in the Middle East. It was first held in 2000 and attracts top-class runners from around the world.
It is categorized as a Gold Label race by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), putting it in the same category as races such as the New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon, and London Marathon.
Dates
The Dubai Marathon has always been held in the first week of January every year.
The 2021 edition was cancelled due to COVID-19, and the 2022 edition will not take place in January due to local health and safety rules. These included a ban on flights from Kenya and Ethiopia, the two countries with the best marathon runners.
The lead organizers of the Dubai Marathon, Pace Events, have set a tentative date of December 10 for the postponed 2022 race.
Runners can register online on the official Dubai Marathon website (see information box below). Marathon entrants must be at least 18.
Course
The race begins and ends on the Umm Suqeim Road in Al Sufouh, opposite the Madinat Jumeirah and near the Burj Al Arab and Dubai Police Academy.
The route follows the Dubai coastline. Runners first turn right onto Jumeirah Beach Road and head up to Union House in Jumeirah, passing the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Jumeirah Mosque.
On reaching Union House, runners then turn back and continue past the starting point onto Al Sufouh Road. The route continues to Dubai Media City, passing the Palm Jumeirah. Runners then return to the finish line on Umm Suqeim Road.
The event also features a 10 km road race and a 4 km fun run.
Previous Winners
The Dubai Marathon includes many great performances. The table below displays the results of prior editions of the race.
The course record (2 hours 3 minutes and 34 seconds) was set in 2019 by Ethiopian runner Getaneh Molla.
| Year | Men's Winner | Time | Women's Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Wilson Kibet (Kenya) | 02:12:21 | Ramilya Burangulova (Russia) | 02:40:22 |
| 2001 | Wilson Kibet (Kenya) | 02:13:36 | Ramilya Burangulova (Russia) | 02:37:07 |
| 2002 | Wilson Kibet (Kenya) | 02:13:04 | Albina Ivanova (Russia) | 02:33:31 |
| 2003 | Joseph Kahugu (Kenya) | 02:09:33 | Irina Permitina (Russia) | 02:36:26 |
| 2004 | Gashaw Asfaw (Ethiopia) | 02:12:49 | Leila Aman (Ethiopia) | 02:42:36 |
| 2005 | Dejene Guta (Ethiopia) | 02:10:49 | Diribe Hunde (Ethiopia) | 02:39:08 |
| 2006 | Joseph Kiprotich (Kenya) | 02:13:02 | Delilah Asiago (Kenya) | 02:43:09 |
| 2007 | William Rotich (Kenya) | 02:09:53 | Askale Tafa (Ethiopia) | 02:27:19 |
| 2008 | Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) | 02:04:53 | Berhane Adere (Ethiopia) | 02:22:42 |
| 2009 | Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) | 02:05:29 | Bezunesh Bekele (Ethiopia) | 02:24:02 |
| 2010 | Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) | 02:06:09 | Mamitu Daska (Ethiopia) | 02:24:18 |
| 2011 | David Barmasai (Kenya) | 02:07:18 | Aselefech Mergia (Ethiopia) | 02:22:45 |
| 2012 | Ayele Abshero (Ethiopia) | 02:04:23 | Aselefech Mergia (Ethiopia) | 02:19:31 |
| 2013 | Lelisa Desisa (Ethiopia) | 02:04:45 | Tirfi Tsegaye (Ethiopia) | 02:23:23 |
| 2014 | Tsegaye Mekonnen (Ethiopia) | 02:04:32 | Mulu Seboka (Ethiopia) | 02:25:01 |
| 2015 | Berhanu Lemi (Ethiopia) | 02:05:28 | Aselefech Mergia (Ethiopia) | 02:20:02 |
| 2016 | Tesfaye Abera (Ethiopia) | 02:04:24 | Tirfi Tsegaye (Ethiopia) | 02:19:41 |
| 2017 | Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia) | 02:04:11 | Worknesh Degefa (Ethiopia) | 02:22:36 |
| 2018 | Mosinet Geremew (Ethiopia) | 02:04:00 | Roza Dereje (Ethiopia) | 02:19:17 |
| 2019 | Getaneh Molla (Ethiopia) | 02:03:34 | Ruth Chepngetich (Kenya) | 02:17:08 |
| 2020 | Olika Adugna (Ethiopia) | 2:06:15 | Worknesh Degefa (Ethiopia) | 2:19:38 |
| 2021 | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
