Dubai held its annual marathon today, Jan. 24. With over 20,000 runners, all of the races started and ended in the shadows of the iconic Burj Al Arab on Umm Suqeim Road opposite the Madinat Jumeirah.
The races were divided into three categories: 43km marathon, 10km road race and a 3km fun run. For the third year in a row, Ethiopians swept the top spots for most races, with Tsegaye Mekonnen winning the 43 km marathon with a time of 2:04:32. Mekonnen was followed across the finish line by fellow countrymen Markos Geneti and Birhanu Gebru in the second and third place, respectively.
In the women’s race, Ethiopian women held the first nine places, with Mula Seboka winning in 2:25:01 followed by Meselech Melkamu Haileyesus and Firehiwot Dado.
Awarded Gold Label status from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for the third consecutive year, the Dubai Marathon is considered one of the top sporting events in Dubai.
The Dubai Marathon is an attraction for many local and global sponsors, while participants run to raise money for various charities with prize money ranging from $8,000 to $200,000.
Live bands and a selection of other activities entertained spectators at the Marathon’s Village, while all participants received an official race t-shirt, a finishers medal and a downloadable finisher’s certificate.
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