The silver anniversary of the Dubai Marathon concluded with absolute dominance by Ethiopian distance runners. Debutant Nibret Melak and Anchinalu Dessie claimed victory in this prestigious event, setting the fastest times in the world so far this year.
Melak Continues the Ethiopian Debut Tradition
Nibret Melak maintained an extraordinary streak for Ethiopian debutants in the United Arab Emirates. He became the sixth consecutive runner from Ethiopia to win the Dubai Marathon in his first official start at the distance. Melak crossed the finish line in 2:04:00, marking the third-fastest time in the course’s history, missing the event record by a mere 26 seconds. Following the race, the winner admitted that despite his lack of experience, he felt perfectly prepared, and his long-term goal is to challenge the world record.
The men’s race featured a large lead group of 20 runners through the halfway point, passing the half-marathon mark in 62:07. The dynamics shifted at the 35-kilometer mark when the final pacer dropped out, typically a signal for a tactical slowdown. However, Melak refused to wait; after covering the 36th kilometer in three minutes, he ran the next segment ten seconds faster, building a decisive lead. Although he showed visible fatigue in the final kilometer, his victory was never in doubt.
Second place went to the winner’s training partner, Yasin Haji, who finished in 2:05:52. Both athletes train in Addis Ababa under Gemedu Dedefo, the coach renowned for working with Olympic champion Tamirat Tola. Rwanda’s John Hakizimana took the final spot on the podium, clocking 2:06:04 to break his national record by an impressive 50 seconds, finishing in a state of total exhaustion but with immense satisfaction.
Third Marathon Victory for Anchinalu Dessie
In the women’s elite field, Anchinalu Dessie emerged victorious. Despite being a late entry into the race, she dominated the Dubai course, clocking 2:18:31 and improving her personal best by over three and a half minutes. This was the third marathon start of Dessie’s career and her third consecutive victory, following previous wins in Seville and Beijing—a perfect record that is nearly unique on the global stage.
The battle for the win was decided only in the final moments. For much of the race, Muliye Dekebo held the lead, establishing a promising gap with just a few kilometers remaining. However, approximately 1,600 meters from the finish, Dekebo suffered sudden stomach issues, forcing her to stop briefly and lose her rhythm. Dessie capitalized on this weakness, overtaking her at the 40-kilometer mark to run solo toward the finish line.
The women’s podium was a clean sweep for Ethiopia, further highlighting the nation’s marathon supremacy. Despite her mid-race struggles, Dekebo managed to recover and finish second in 2:18:43, setting a new personal best. Pre-race favorite Fantu Worku finished third in 2:19:08. Dessie’s coach noted after the race that she will likely skip the spring season to focus on preparing for a major fall marathon.
Anniversary Atmosphere and Record Participation
The 25th edition of the Dubai Marathon attracted a record number of participants, with approximately 20,000 runners across all distances, including the 10km and 4km races. The marathon itself saw a record 4,000 participants, a historic milestone for the event. The race took place in near-perfect weather conditions—the temperature at the 5:45 AM start was 14°C (57°F) and rose only two degrees during the elite competition.
A significant update for this year’s edition was the new start and finish location at the Dubai Police Academy. The fast, flat course, supported by partners such as ASICS and MG Motor, once again proved its reputation as one of the fastest in the world. Organizers highlighted that in the history of the race, eleven debutants have now stood on the top step of the podium, cementing Dubai’s status as the birthplace of new track and field stars.
Following the competition, the top athletes received their trophies from Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council. The sporting success of Melak and Dessie opens the 2026 global running season at the highest level, setting a high bar for upcoming majors. The event proved that Dubai can successfully pair mass participation with world-class elite results.
The Ethiopian Anthem Rings Out Again
The anniversary marathon confirmed Dubai’s status as a cradle for great Ethiopian talent, who have now secured a total of 19 women’s and 18 men’s victories here. The excellent conditions and the new venue at the Dubai Police Academy fostered the world-leading times currently topping the global rankings. The attention of organizers and fans now shifts to the upcoming RAK Half Marathon, scheduled for February 14.
