Dubai Duty-Free, one of the most successful travel retailers in the world and a supporter of sporting events both in the UAE and abroad, will make its first foray into the athletics world as a supporting sponsor for the oldest marathon in the Middle East.

Sport has been an integral part of Dubai Duty-Free’s marketing strategy for nearly 40 years with golf, horse racing, and tennis all included in the organization’s portfolio, and the decision to partner with the region’s biggest international running event has been warmly welcomed by the Dubai Marathon.

“To have the support of a major brand like Dubai Duty-Free is a massive boost for the Dubai Marathon, especially since this will be our first event since January 2020,” said Peter Connerton, Managing Director of Pace Events, organizers and promoters of the Dubai Marathon.

“The name of Dubai Duty-Free is synonymous with world-class sporting occasions such as the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships so we are honored to have their support for the 22nd staging of the region’s oldest international marathon.”

Dubai Duty-Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin said: “Like Dubai Duty-Free, the Dubai Marathon is a long-standing fixture on the Dubai landscape, so we are excited about this new partnership. We look forward to working alongside the Dubai Marathon as it returns to the calendar, as well as seeing our own Dubai Duty Free employees who will participate in this exciting event.”

Dubai Duty-Free Joint Chief Operating Officer, Salah Tahlak added, “With three races in one morning, it’s a hugely popular event of international standing thanks to a number of world-class performances and record times over the years from many of the sport’s leading long-distance runners.”

While the classic…