Manny Ita
Ethiopian athletes Nibret Melak and Anchinalu Dessie secured first-place finishes in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, at the 25th anniversary edition of the Dubai Marathon on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The results marked the fourth consecutive year that Ethiopian runners have swept both major categories of the event. Melak completed the course with a time of 2:04:00, improving upon the previous year’s winning time by 50 seconds. In the women’s race, 23-year-old Dessie clocked a time of 2:18:31, bettering her previous personal best by nearly four minutes.
The race concluded with a finish on the parade grounds of the Dubai Police Academy before a capacity crowd. In the men’s division, Yasin Haji took second place, while John Hakizimana of Rwanda finished third. Hakizimana distinguished himself as the only non-Ethiopian runner to place within the top ten across both the men’s and women’s elite fields. The women’s podium was completed by Muliye Dekebo, who finished 12 seconds behind the winner, and Fantu Worku in third place.
The event, described by former world record holder Paula Radcliffe as “one of the best,” saw athletes navigate the course under clear skies with temperatures in Dubai reaching 23°C. Following the conclusion of the milestone 25th edition, organizers have already announced that registration is open for the 2027 race. The victory reaffirms Ethiopia’s continued dominance in the long-distance running circuit within the United Arab Emirates.
