Ethiopian runners Nibret Melak and Anchinalu Dessie dominated the 25th anniversary of the Dubai Marathon on February 1, 2026, delivering world-leading results for the year. Melak secured a stunning victory in his marathon debut, clocking an impressive 2:04:00, while Dessie continued her meteoric rise, winning her third consecutive marathon at a personal best time of 2:18:31, reaffirming Dubai’s reputation as the Middle East’s premier flat and fast course.
Melak Joins Elite Debut Winners Club
Melak’s performance was immediately historical. His 2:04:00 is confirmed as the fastest men’s time globally in 2026, and he missed the long-standing course record by a mere 26 seconds, tying for the third-fastest time ever run in Dubai. Remarkably, Melak continues a powerful trend: he is the sixth consecutive Ethiopian male to win the Dubai Marathon in a debut outing. Overall, including both the men’s and women’s races, the event has seen 11 debutant winners utilize the course’s conducive conditions to achieve world-class results.
The 25-year-old, who trains alongside Olympic Marathon Champion Tamirat Tola in Addis Ababa, expressed ambitious goals following his monumental win. “I was very well prepared, and winning on my debut was always my aim,” Melak said. “My biggest aspiration for the future is to break the world record.”
The men’s podium saw a clean sweep for East Africa. Fellow Ethiopian Yasin Haji secured second place in 2:05:52, while John Hakizimana of Rwanda finished third, setting a new national record for his country with a time of 2:06:04.
Dessie Triumphs Despite Late Entry Drama
Anchinalu Dessie, a late entrant to the competition, delivered an equally compelling victory, knocking almost four minutes off her previous personal best. Her time of 2:18:31 sets the global 2026 benchmark for women’s marathons. The win marks Dessie’s third victory in as many marathon appearances, following earlier triumphs in Seville and Beijing.
The women’s race provided late-stage drama. Muliye Dekebo, also of Ethiopia, led strongly and appeared set for the win until just past the 40-kilometer mark. Suddenly encountering stomach issues, Dekebo was overtaken by Dessie, who leveraged the opportunity to claim the biggest win of her young career.
Finishing closely behind Dessie, Ethiopians Muliye Dekebo placed second (2:18:43) and Fantu Worku took third (2:19:08), rounding out an entirely Ethiopian women’s podium.
Reflecting on her performance, the 23-year-old victor acknowledged the intense moment. “I thought I could still catch up in the latter stages of the race,” Dessie explained. “While it’s gratifying to set a personal best, I believe I can run even faster in the future.”
Record Participation Elevates Event
The anniversary race saw record participation, cementing its status as a major global running festival. This year’s event drew a total of 20,000 entrants across all distances, including the 10km and 4km fun runs. Notably, 4,000 participants registered specifically for the full marathon distance—the highest number in the event’s history.
The top athletes were honored by HE Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, who presented the medals and trophies to the elite finishers across both categories.
The sustained excellence showcased by the 25th Dubai Marathon, particularly the rapid times achieved by Melak and Dessie, reinforces the city’s commitment to cultivating a top-tier sporting environment and provides an exciting kickoff to the 2026 international marathon calendar. Supported by major partners including ASICS and the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Marathon continues to be a cornerstone event driving athletic excellence in the region.