The Early Years
2014Established in 2014, the Dubai Marathon is now 12 years old. From its first edition in Dubai, it has evolved into a race that reflects the character of its host region in United Arab Emirates.
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Course & Elevation
The Dubai Marathon is one of the world's fastest and flattest courses, starting from Umm Suqeim and finishing at Burj Park near the Burj Khalifa. Runners experience iconic landmarks including the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and coastal promenades along the Persian Gulf. The course is IAAF Gold Label certified and attracts elite runners seeking personal bests.
Surface: road Profile: Flat
Weather
Temperature 24°C
Humidity 55%
Rain Chance 5%
Pleasant winter weather with cool mornings and warm afternoons. Minimal rainfall expected with low humidity, creating ideal conditions for fast running.
Related Guides
The Race
Dubai
Race Lore
A Course Built for Speed
2024The course record of 2:05:09, set by Abdi Nageeye in 2024, speaks to what the Dubai Marathon offers elite athletes: a fast, honest course where serious times are achievable. The record has drawn increasingly competitive fields year after year.
The Fast Lane
Runners come to the Dubai Marathon for one reason: personal bests. The flat, fast course through Dubai has a reputation as a PB factory, with the roads seemingly designed to keep your pace honest and your splits consistent from start to finish.
Boston Qualifier
The Dubai Marathon is a certified Boston qualifier, and that three-letter abbreviation — BQ — transforms the race from an event into a gateway. Every year, runners come to Dubai not just to finish but to chase a time that unlocks the world's most exclusive marathon.
The Crowd Energy
With 28,000 finishers and spectators lining the course deep, the Dubai Marathon generates an atmosphere that carries runners through the hard miles. The crowd support in Dubai is not polite applause — it's visceral, personal, and often the difference between hitting the wall and breaking through it.
Famous Runners
HG
Haile Gebrselassie
Ethiopian running legend
2:06:09 2009
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Course Record
2:05:09
Abdi Nageeye (2024)
Registration
Registration Opens August
Registration Closes December
Entry Cost AED 350-550
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Fun Facts
- ▸ Dubai Marathon holds an IAAF Gold Label certification, making it one of the world's most prestigious marathon events.
- ▸ The race attracts elite international runners seeking personal bests due to its flat, fast course and excellent January weather conditions.
- ▸ Runners pass iconic Dubai landmarks including the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and finish with views of the Burj Khalifa.
- ▸ Nearly 80% of participants are international runners from over 130 countries, making it one of the most globally diverse marathons.
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