Dubai Marathon — Run Time

Dubai Marathon Countdown

297

Days

04

Hrs

12

Min

19

Sec

Next Race

January 31, 2027

298

days to go

The Dubai Marathon is held each January along the coastal Jumeirah Beach Road, finishing near the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. Established in 1998, the race holds a World Athletics Gold Label and offers some of the largest prize money in road running, drawing elite East African runners each year to its flat, fast course.

WA Gold Label

Est.

1998

Distance

42.195km / 26.2mi

Course

Out-and-back

Surface

Road

Field Size

~30,000

When

January

Time Limit

6h

THE COURSE

MI 0

KM 0

Start — Jumeirah Beach Road

The race begins on Jumeirah Beach Road in the Jumeirah district, heading north along the Persian Gulf coastline. The flat, sea-level tarmac and January temperatures create some of the fastest marathon conditions in the world.

MI 4

KM 6

Jumeirah Mosque

One of the most recognisable mosques in Dubai, the Jumeirah Mosque was built in the 1970s in Fatimid architectural style. Runners pass it in the early miles as the course continues north along the coastal road.

MI 8

KM 13

Kite Beach

A popular public beach area along the Jumeirah waterfront, Kite Beach gives runners open views across the Persian Gulf. The flat, unobstructed road here is where leading packs often begin to thin.

MI 13

KM 21

Turnaround Point

The out-and-back course reaches its northern turnaround point and runners reverse direction, heading south back along Jumeirah Beach Road. The halfway split is typically taken by elite athletes at under 62 minutes on record-breaking days.

MI 26

KM 42

Finish — Near Burj Al Arab

The race finishes on Jumeirah Beach Road near the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel. The finish straight hosts the elite prize ceremony, where the race has historically offered some of the largest prize purses in road running.