This is the preview of the 2025 Dubai Marathon, written by Deji Ogeyinbgo for RunBlogRun. The 2025 race is January 12, 2025, and can be watched live at www.dubaimarathon.org at 6 am Dubai Local time! RunBlogRun will provide remote social commentary during the live elite event.
Dubai Marathon Preview: An Ethiopian Flavour for the 24th Dubai Marathon
On January 12, 2025, runners from across the globe will gather in Dubai for one of the most anticipated events in the marathon calendar. The Dubai Marathon is known for its fast and flat course, a route that winds through some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Jumeirah Beach Road, Al Sufouh, and Umm Suqeim Road. This race offers an opportunity for elite athletes to push their limits and break personal records.
For nearly 25 years, the Dubai Marathon has been a marquee event on the global racing circuit, drawing international attention with its top-tier field and prestigious status. The race has seen countless records set, and the 2025 edition promises to continue this legacy. With some of the world’s best marathoners toeing the line, this year’s Dubai Marathon is shaping up to be another memorable race.
Men’s Race: A Star-Studded Field
The men’s race at this year’s Dubai Marathon features a group of runners with a mix of established stars and rising talent. Leading the way is former World Marathon Champion Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia. The 34-year-old returns to the city where he announced himself on the world stage back in 2013. Desisa’s victory in Dubai that year, when he ran a personal best of 2:04:45, marked his debut at the marathon distance and set the tone for what would become a decorated career. He would go on to win the Boston Marathon twice, the New York Marathon in 2018, and the World Marathon Championship gold in 2019.
Desisa’s return to Dubai is highly anticipated. His 2013 victory, which saw him outlast a group of challengers with a time that was one of the fastest marathon debuts in history, was just the beginning. Since then, he has remained a fixture at the top of the sport. After a brief hiatus from international competition, his reappearance will be a highlight for both spectators and fellow runners.
Challenging Desisa will be Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto, who holds the fastest marathon time in the field. Kimetto’s personal best of 2:02:57 was set at the Berlin Marathon in 2014 and was a world record at the time. Although he has not raced since 2019, the 40-year-old Kenyan’s impressive credentials cannot be overlooked. If he can return to his best form, Kimetto could be a serious contender for the top spot.
Another contender to watch is Dino Sefir, an Ethiopian marathoner who has consistently delivered strong performances. In 2012, he clocked a personal best of 2:04:50 in Dubai, which remains one of the fastest non-winning times in the race’s history. Since then, Sefir has been a regular in major marathons, including top finishes in Tokyo, Frankfurt, and Barcelona. He will be looking to add another impressive result to his career.
Shifera Tamru, another Ethiopian runner, has also been performing at a high level. With a personal best of 2:05:18 and a strong showing in the 2024 season, he’s ready to challenge for the top spots in Dubai. His recent marathon time of 2:12:13 in Hangzhou, China, shows that he’s in solid form heading into this race.
Women’s Race: A Competitive Lineup
The women’s race is just as exciting, with Ethiopia once again leading the charge. Tigist Girma, a seasoned marathoner, will be one of the top favorites. Girma has a long list of achievements, including victories in the Beirut, Guangzhou, and Sydney marathons. She has consistently been at the front of the pack, setting personal bests and finishing in the top positions at major marathons. Her most recent result was a win at the 2022 Sydney Marathon, where she clocked a personal best of 2:18:52 at the Valencia Marathon.
Zeineba Yimer, also from Ethiopia, is another strong contender. Yimer’s marathon career has been marked by steady improvement, including a victory at the 2023 Barcelona Marathon and a fourth-place finish at the Berlin Marathon, where she ran a personal best of 2:19:07. Yimer has shown that she can compete at the highest level, and she will be looking to continue her successful streak in Dubai.
Etagegne Woldu, a younger runner with plenty of potential, has been making strides in the marathon. Woldu ran her personal best of 2:20:03 at the 2022 Valencia Marathon and has shown steady improvement in the years since. With a strong season’s best of 2:26:00, Woldu will be looking to break into the elite ranks in Dubai.
One to keep an eye on is Bahrain’s Tigist Ketema, the 2024 marathon debutante who made history by setting the fastest-ever women’s debut marathon time in Dubai last year. Ketema’s performance of 2:16:07 was nothing short of remarkable, and her victory at the 2024 Berlin Marathon further solidified her place among the elite. She will be returning to Dubai in search of a second victory and perhaps another record.
With so many talented women lining up, the race for the podium is expected to be fierce. The competition in Dubai has always been tough, and this year, it looks set to be no different.
What’s at Stake
For the men and women racing in Dubai, this marathon is more than just another event. It’s an opportunity to make a statement on the global stage. The flat and fast course makes it one of the best places in the world for marathoners to break personal bests or even set world records. With such a strong field in both the men’s and women’s races, this year’s Dubai Marathon promises to be a thrilling contest, with plenty of storylines to follow.
