The Center East nation phases the extremely beneficial Dubai Marathon and Rak Half-Marathon early within the new 12 months
Planning your highway racing calendar for 2026? If that’s the case, why not goal one of many nice occasions within the United Arab Emirates?
The Dubai Marathon takes place on February 1. Or how concerning the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon two weeks in a while February 14?
The realm has sensible climate, nice individuals and tradition, inexpensive purchasing and a world-class infrastructure, plus a variety of occasions and actions that make the UAE one of many world’s greatest excellent vacationer locations.
The UAE has additionally put itself on the working map lately.
The Dubai Marathon is a quick course and in addition an fascinating place if you wish to mix your working with sight-seeing. Dubai’s linear format makes it straightforward to navigate, with the airport minutes from key areas reminiscent of Dubai Creek, Downtown and the Marina.
You possibly can take pleasure in award-winning eating places, sensible seashores such because the white sands of Kite Seashore and the splendour of Dubai’s heritage quarter – and with superb waterslides and theme parks, there’s every thing you’ll want to loosen up both earlier than or after the marathon.
The 2026 occasion can be the twenty fifth anniversary of the race and its course information of two:03:34 by Geteneh Molla and a couple of:16:07 by Tigist Ketema, illustrate why it is likely one of the world’s quickest marathons.
The 2025 Dubai Marathon winners had been Bute Gemechu of Ethiopia in 2:04:51 and Bedatu Hirpa of Ethiopia in 2:18:27.
For extra concerning the Dubai Marathon, see right here.
The RAK Half, in the meantime, options 4 completely different race distances accessible on Al Marjan Island within the UAE with the selection of tackling 2km, 5km, 10km or the half-marathon.
Not solely does Ras Al Khaimah stage the most effective half-marathon races on this planet, nevertheless it is likely one of the most ‘must-see’ cities with sensible climate, very good infrastructure, golden seashores and world class eating and purchasing.
With a rare historical past relationship again over seven millennia, the northernmost Emirate within the UAE has turn out to be one of the crucial wanted locations within the Center East.
For these travelling to the emirate, keep in mind there isn’t a laborious border crossing from Ras Al Khaimah and its neighbouring emirates, together with Dubai. So you’ll be able to journey freely between Ras Al Khaimah and the opposite bordering emirates with none restrictions.
With the 2026 race being on February 14, you may even mix it with a Valentine’s Day get-away.
On the race itself, the course has seen a number of world information over time. In 2007 Sammy Wanjiru ran a males’s world report of 58:53 within the RAK Half. Since then there have additionally been three girls’s world information with Mary Keitany clocking 65:50 in 2011, Peres Jepchirchir working 64:52 in 2017 and Abal Yeshaneh with 64:31 in 2020.
Extra lately, in 2022, Jacob Kiplimo and Girmawit Gebrzihair ran course information of 57:56 and 64:14 respectively, whereas Eilish McColgan (beneath) clocked a British report of 66:26.
In 2025 Alex Matata of Kenya gained the RAK Half in 59:20 with Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia (pictured above) successful the ladies’s race in 65:52.
Discover out extra concerning the RAK Half and enter right here.
