Dubai Marathon set for January 17, three distances planned

The 26th edition of the Dubai Marathon, the Middle East’s oldest international marathon, is set to take place on Sunday, January 17, 2027.

Held with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, the 2027 Dubai Marathon will stage races across three distances with a 10km Road Race and a 4km Fun Run held alongside the classic 42.195 km marathon itself.

Runner registration is now open for the marathon. 

“We are delighted to launch the countdown to the 26th Dubai Marathon after what has been a challenging few months for the region,” said Event Director Peter Connerton.

“The government of Dubai has done a wonderful job protecting and supporting both city and residents alike and we are once again proud to work beside them to bring together a world-class event for the emirate in January 2027.”

The Dubai Marathon has now welcomed more than 400,000 runners in its 25-year history. This year, some 19,338 participants from 151 countries took part across the three events with a record 39% of them being international runners from outside the UAE.

Ahmed Al Kamali, Dubai Marathon General Co-Ordinator, added: “We have had a great deal of interest from runners looking to participate in 2027 following the success of our silver anniversary edition a few months ago.

“There is a wonderful appetite for the race both here in Dubai and from international competitors who have heard so much about the event and who are looking to experience Dubai as a destination. We look forward to welcoming them to the start line on January 17, 2027.”

Full race maps and further information – as well as runner registration information – will be available at the official race website dubaimarathon.org.

Earlier this year, the race maintained its reputation as one of the world’s leading events for elite athletes when Nibret Melak made it six wins in a row for debut runners at the Dubai Marathon, while fellow Ethiopian Anchinalu Dessie smashed her personal best in the women’s race.

Melak became yet another debut winner of the Middle East’s fastest marathon in a time of 2:04:00, while Dessie continued her marathon journey winning her third straight marathon in a personal best 2:18:31. -TradeArabia News Service