Dubai Marathon Opens Registration for 25th Silver Jubilee Edition on Feb 1, 2026, Promising Global Participation and a Year-Long Celebration

Dubai Marathon has opened registration for its landmark 25th edition, slated for February 1, 2026, as organizers prepare to celebrate a quarter-century of elite competition and international participation. With the support of the Dubai Sports Council, the silver jubilee edition is anticipated to draw runners from more than 140 countries, underscoring the event’s standing as a premier international road race in the Middle East and beyond. The 2026 race will continue the tradition of a flat, fast course that has long attracted world-class performances, while the organizers promise a year-long calendar of activities designed to elevate the experience in the run-up to race day. Dubai Marathon’s enduring appeal lies not only in its distance but in its ability to attract a diverse field of athletes, recreational runners, and guests who come to witness a race that blends sporting excellence with the city’s hospitality and infrastructure. This registration phase signals a renewed commitment to inclusivity, competition, and the escalation of the Dubai Marathon’s global profile as it enters its 25th year.

Dubai Marathon at a Glance: History, Prestige, and Course Profile

The Dubai Marathon stands as the Middle East’s oldest international road race and remains a fixture on the annual global road racing calendar. Its position in the sport has been reinforced by its Gold Label status from World Athletics, a designation earned through sustained excellence in organization, course design, media coverage, and international participation. The race is renowned for offering a flat and fast course that has consistently produced world-class performances and has attracted a lineup of legendary athletes over the years. This combination of technical merit and high-profile participation has elevated the event to one of the top ten marathons globally, a status that draws runners seeking both fast times and the unique experience of racing in a cosmopolitan, world-class city.

The 2026 edition will feature the full marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers, maintaining the traditional race format that fans and participants expect. In addition to the main marathon, the event continues to offer a 10-kilometer road race and a 4-kilometer fun run, ensuring there are suitable entry points for runners of diverse abilities and ambitions. By preserving accessibility across race formats, the Dubai Marathon reinforces its role as a platform where elite competitors, weekend warriors, and newcomers can participate in a high-caliber event that remains welcoming to all levels of athletic attainment. The commitment to multiple event formats also reflects the organizers’ aim to broaden participation, attract families and communities, and foster a culture of running within the city and the wider region.

As the race prepares for its silver jubilee, planners and stakeholders emphasize the importance of continuity and evolution. The event’s leadership is conscious of its roots while simultaneously looking ahead to novel ways to engage participants and spectators. The 25th edition represents not only a milestone in years but a milestone in performance, participation, and prestige. The organizers expect to capitalize on the long-standing tradition of record-setting performances and memorable races, while building on the Dubai Marathon’s reputation as a showcase for endurance, speed, and strategic running across different distances. This blend of heritage and progress is central to the event’s identity as it moves toward the 2026 race day.

The Dubai Marathon’s standing in the global running community is underscored by its association with elite athletes who have made history on its course. The event has been a proving ground for runners seeking to set national records, personal bests, or simply to test themselves against an international field on a revered course. The combination of a fast course, a strong organizational framework, and a supportive host city has consistently attracted top-tier competitors, contributing to the Dubai Marathon’s enduring appeal and continuous relevance within the sport.

Silver Jubilee Preparations: A Year-Long Celebration of Excellence

Race Director Peter Connerton has underscored that preparations for the 25th Dubai Marathon are already underway in coordination with the Dubai Sports Council and other government partners. The official announcement of registration for the 25th edition is framed as the start of a year-long celebration designed to mark the silver jubilee with a series of special events leading up to race day. This approach aims to extend the impact of the marathon beyond the actual race, turning the entire year into a festival of endurance, athletics, and community engagement. The overarching goal is to create a multi-faceted experience that resonates with runners, fans, and residents, while highlighting Dubai’s capacity to host major international sporting events.

Connerton highlighted the growth trajectory of the Dubai Marathon since its inception, noting how the event has evolved from its early years to its current status among the world’s elite road races. He pointed to standout moments that have defined the competition’s prestige, such as the 2008 edition featuring Haile Gebrselassie, which showcased the race’s ability to attract homegrown legends and international icons alike. He also recalled the groundbreaking 2018 edition when seven runners clocked sub-2:05 times, a testament to the depth of talent and the intensity of the competition on Dubai’s course. These milestones have cemented the Dubai Marathon’s reputation as a stage where exceptional performances can emerge and where athletes push the boundaries of what is possible on a road racing course of international repute.

The silver jubilee program is expected to include a host of activities that will engage participants before, during, and after race day. A year-long calendar of events will likely feature elite and community-focused initiatives, training camps, awards, exhibitions, and other experiences designed to celebrate running culture and Dubai’s status as a global sports hub. By weaving together competition, education, and entertainment, organizers aim to create a comprehensive celebration that not only recognizes past achievements but also inspires future generations of runners. The emphasis on collaboration with public authorities and the broader athletic ecosystem signals a strategic approach to event management that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and the sustained growth of the sport in the region.

In discussing the trajectory of Dubai Marathon’s prominence, Connerton also reflected on how the event has consistently placed itself among the world’s most respected marathons. The 25th edition’s preparations are framed within a context of ongoing excellence, with expectations for continued media visibility, participant satisfaction, and a compelling spectator experience. The silver jubilee is presented not just as a single-day spectacle but as a multi-stage journey that will unfold over the year, reinforcing the Dubai Marathon’s role as a catalyst for sporting excellence and a centerpiece of Dubai’s international calendar.

Event Formats, Accessibility, and Talent Development

The 2026 edition will maintain several race formats designed to accommodate runners of diverse backgrounds and goals. In addition to the traditional full marathon, runners can choose the 10-kilometer road race or the 4-kilometer fun run, ensuring broad accessibility and encouraging participation from beginners and seasoned runners alike. This multi-distance approach aligns with the event’s broader mission of promoting mass participation while preserving the high-performance nature of the marathon for elite athletes.

Registration for the Dubai Marathon is conducted through the official event platform, with the process designed to be user-friendly and accessible to participants from around the world. While the exact logistics of registration are handled by the organizers, the emphasis remains on a smooth and efficient experience that supports athletes as they commit to months of training and preparation. The official platform serves as a central hub for prospective runners to learn about entry requirements, event logistics, and the schedule of activities surrounding the silver jubilee edition. The registration period marks the beginning of a long-term engagement with the event, inviting participants to be part of a historic milestone in Dubai’s sporting calendar.

The Dubai Marathon has consistently served as a platform for emerging talent. Past editions have seen notable breakthroughs, with Tamirat Tola winning the men’s race in 2017 and Ruth Chepngetich claiming victory in her marathon debut in 2019. These performances have underscored the event’s role in showcasing rising stars to a global audience, contributing to the endurance landscape’s evolution and providing a proving ground for athletes who later achieve Olympic and World Championship success. The event’s track record of fostering talent reinforces its status as a critical development arena for distance runners seeking to make their mark on the world stage.

Recent recipients of the men’s and women’s titles earlier this year demonstrated the ongoing vitality of the Dubai Marathon. Ethiopia’s Boti Gelemeshu captured the men’s crown with a time of 2:04:51, while Berdado Hirpa achieved a personal best to win the women’s race in 2:18:27, following a tightly contested battle with the 2023 champion Dera Dida. These performances not only highlighted the high caliber of the field but also reinforced Dubai’s reputation as a venue where elite athletes can post compelling times and season-defining results. The races’ outcomes contribute to the narrative of the Dubai Marathon as a destination where history is made and new talent emerges, reinforcing the event’s enduring appeal to athletes seeking to challenge themselves on a world-class stage.

Ahmed Al Kamali, the general coordinator of the Dubai Marathon, emphasized the city’s readiness to host global sporting events and its capacity to deliver a superior race experience. He highlighted Dubai’s world-class facilities, highly advanced transportation networks, and diverse accommodation options as critical factors that make the city an ideal destination for international events. Al Kamali’s remarks reflect a broader strategy to promote Dubai as a leading tourist and sports hub, with the marathon serving as a flagship event in this ongoing effort. He reiterated the importance of welcoming runners from around the world to celebrate the silver jubilee and to recognize the Dubai Marathon as a pioneering international marathon in the Middle East. This aligns with Dubai’s broader ambitions to position itself as a top-tier host city for global sports, culture, and business events.

In describing Dubai Marathon’s role in a broader regional and global context, Al Kamali also underscored the event’s significance as a symbol of international collaboration and cultural exchange. The race’s position as the first international marathon in the Middle East, as noted in his remarks, reflects the region’s growing prominence in world athletics and the Middle East’s increasing engagement with major sporting events. The silver jubilee edition is thus framed as both a celebration of the past and a forward-looking milestone that reinforces Dubai’s status as a premier platform for international competition, tourism, and economic activity tied to sport.

Read: Dubai’s growing role as a global sports, entertainment hub

Conclusion

The 25th Dubai Marathon marks a pivotal moment in the event’s storied history, combining a celebrated past with a bold vision for the future. Registration opens for a year-long silver jubilee celebration that will honor the race’s legacy while expanding its reach to new audiences and terrains. With a full marathon, a 10-kilometer race, and a 4-kilometer fun run on the roster, the event remains accessible to runners at all levels, reinforcing its reputation as a premier global road race. The race’s Gold Label status, its history of elite performances, and its growing platform for emerging talent—all under the umbrella of Dubai’s world-class facilities and infrastructure—position the Dubai Marathon as a central pillar of the city’s sports and tourism strategy. The silver jubilee edition promises to deliver a comprehensive, year-long celebration that invites participants from around the world to join in commemorating a quarter-century of excellence, community, and competition on one of the sport’s most renowned stages. As Dubai prepares to welcome runners and fans in 2026, the Dubai Marathon stands ready to extend its legacy, attract new generations of athletes, and reinforce its stature as a leading force in international road racing.