Ethiopian athletes delivered another masterclass in long-distance running at the 25th anniversary edition of the Dubai Marathon, securing an unprecedented fifth consecutive men’s and women’s double victory in the Middle East’s premier marathon event. The historic achievement further cemented East Africa’s dominance in the iconic race that has traditionally been contested between Ethiopian and Kenyan athletes.
Nibret Melak emerged as the standout performer of the day, capturing the men’s elite title in a spectacular marathon debut. The 26-year-old Ethiopian clocked an impressive 2:04:00, recording the third-fastest time in the event’s history and missing the course record by a mere 26 seconds. Melak demonstrated remarkable composure throughout the race, finishing ahead of compatriot Yasin Haji (2:05:52) and Rwanda’s John Hakizimana (2:06:04) who claimed silver and bronze respectively.
In the women’s competition, Anchinalu Dessie produced a stunning comeback victory while setting a personal best of 2:18:31. The 23-year-old Ethiopian champion overcame a significant deficit in the final stages, capitalizing on race leader Muliye Dekebo’s sudden stomach troubles to secure her third consecutive marathon victory following previous triumphs in Seville and Beijing.
The event, supported by Dubai Sports Council, featured a flat and fast course that attracted elite runners worldwide. Beyond the professional races, thousands of running enthusiasts participated in the accompanying 10km Road Race and 4km Fun Run, highlighting the event’s growing popularity across skill levels.
Both champions expressed ambitious future goals, with Melak declaring his intention to break the world marathon record and Dessie confident she can achieve even faster times. Their performances underscored Ethiopia’s continuing production of world-class distance running talent and set the stage for exciting developments in international marathon competitions.