Ethiopian Athletes Dominate Dubai Marathon 2026 Victories
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Ethiopian runners dominate Dubai Marathon 2026, clinching both men’s and women’s titles in record-breaking performances.
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Ethiopian long-distance runner Nibret Melak claimed a dominant victory at the Dubai Marathon 2026, finishing first in the men’s race with an impressive time of 2:04:00 at the event’s landmark 25th edition.
The performance marked a 50-second improvement over last year’s winning time and extended Ethiopia’s stronghold on the prestigious road race.
In the women’s category, Anchinalu Dessie delivered another standout performance, crossing the finish line in 2:18:31. The 23-year-old athlete shaved nearly four minutes off her personal best, securing Ethiopia’s second gold medal of the day and completing a clean sweep of the top podium spots.
The 2026 edition marked the fourth consecutive year Ethiopian athletes have won both the men’s and women’s titles at the Dubai Marathon, reinforcing the country’s dominance in elite marathon running.
Behind Melak, fellow Ethiopian Yasin Haji finished second in the men’s race, while John Hakizimana of Rwanda secured third place, standing out as the only non-Ethiopian athlete to place inside the top ten across both categories.
In the women’s competition, Muliye Dekebo finished just 12 seconds behind Dessie to claim second place, with Fantu Worku completing the podium in third.
The race concluded with a dramatic finish at the Dubai Police Academy parade grounds, where thousands of spectators packed the stands and cheered on the world-class field of athletes, adding to the electric atmosphere of one of the Middle East’s most iconic sporting events.