Among the top ten finishers in both the men’s and women’s races at the 25th Dubai Marathon, John Hakizimana of Rwanda was the only runner who was not Ethiopian. A late addition to the Dubai Marathon field, Dessie stormed to victory and slashed nearly four minutes off her personal best. In the closing stages of the women’s race, Dekebo looked set for victory after building a strong lead, but with just over 2km remaining she was struck by stomach problems. With additional 10km and 4km events, the 25th Dubai Marathon attracted 20,000 participants overall, including a record 4,000 marathon runners. The Dubai Marathon celebrated its 25th anniversary in style, marking a significant milestone for Dubai’s longest-standing marathon and one of the region’s flagship sporting events.

Source: Ethiopian News February 01, 2026 13:41 UTC