Apart from hosting one of the world’s fastest marathons, Dubai has amazing beaches, restaurants and sites to see for visitors
The Dubai Marathon on January 12 is an ideal target for runners targeting a PB but the city is also a great destination for tourists.
Its linear layout makes it easy to navigate, with the airport minutes from key areas such as Dubai Creek, Downtown and the Marina.
You can enjoy award-winning restaurants, brilliant beaches such as the white sands of Kite Beach and the splendour of Dubai’s heritage quarter – and with amazing waterslides and theme parks, there is everything you need to relax either before or after the marathon.
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As for the race, the course records are 2:03:34 by Geteneh Molla and 2:16:07 by Tigist Ketema, which means it is one of the fastest marathons in the world. In fact the average of the top 10 men’s performances in Dubai is 2:04:02, which has been surpassed only by Berlin, Valencia, London, Tokyo and Chicago.
The average of the top 10 women’s times in Dubai is 2:18:36, which has been beaten by just Chicago, London, Tokyo, Valencia and Berlin.
Last year’s races were won by Addisu Gobena of Ethiopia in 2:05:01 and Ketema with her women’s course record of 2:16:07.
The Gold Label race started in 1998 and it really placed itself firmly on the world marathon map in 2008 when Haile Gebrselassie won in 2:04:53 before coming back to successfully defend his title in 2009 and 2010.
Then, in 2012, Ayele Abshero won on his debut marathon in 2:04:23 and led four men inside 2:05 – an unprecedented feat at the time and long before super-shoes became widespread.
Former winners also include Tamirat Tola, who won in 2017 in 2:04:11 before going on to win the world marathon title in 2022 and Olympic crown in 2024.
What’s more, Dubai was the first marathon in history to see five men break 2:05 in the same race; the first to see seven men run sub-2:05 in the same race; and the first to have three women inside 2:20 in the same race.
Fast times and famous winners aside, the course sees you run past, among other things, the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel, one of the few 7-star rated hotels in the world.
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