Increased prize money for the 2026 Dubai Marathon

The general coordinator of the Dubai International Marathon, Counselor Ahmed Al Kamali, revealed an increase in the financial prizes for the marathon, starting from the next edition scheduled for 2026, without clarifying the value of the expected increase, after it reached 1.3 million dirhams in the last edition.

Al Kamali said in press statements: “There are directives from His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, to take all measures that would develop the Dubai International Marathon, so that it maintains its historical value that made it one of the best marathons around the world.” .

He added: “We will immediately begin implementing His Highness’s instructions, and the organizing committee will have a meeting after three days, to develop marketing plans that ensure support for the Dubai Marathon, through national authorities or the private sector, to increase the financial value and raise the value of the prizes for the winners, to ensure greater attraction.” A segment of international runners, in line with the celebration of the silver jubilee of the Dubai Marathon in the 2026 edition.”

Al-Kamali added: “We will work to attract Kenyan runners to participate as elite world champions in the next edition, after their attendance decreased in the last editions, which opened the door for Ethiopian runners to dominate the first places in the men’s and women’s races. There is no doubt that the presence of Kenyan runners will raise the technical level of the marathon.” Especially in the main race, he will improve the numbers registered in his name.”

Regarding the numbers achieved by the Dubai Marathon in its latest edition, Al Kamali said: “The men’s results seem logical, given that the Dubai International Marathon is the beginning of the long-distance races for this year, and that the runners have not reached the peak of their preparation, but as for the women’s results, the time allotted for them has come.” A significant decline, despite the fact that the conditions available for the 24th edition race were ideal, both in terms of temperatures and the track designated for it on Umm Suqeim Street, which in my opinion is the best track. For running races around the world, therefore, there is a tendency among the organizing committee for the Dubai Marathon route to remain as it is in the coming years without change.”

The Ethiopian runner, Buti Gemechu, won the men’s Dubai International Marathon title after covering the race distance in a time of 2:04:51 hours, while his compatriot Herba Bedato won the women’s title after covering the main marathon distance in a time of 2:18:27 hours.

The general coordinator of the Dubai Marathon explained, “The Ethiopian runner Gemechu winning the title as a new champion appearing for the first time in the history of the marathon reinforces the convictions of those interested in such races that Dubai will remain the most famous place in discovering stars and introducing them to the arena of long-distance racing competitions, thereby preserving the legacy of the Dubai Marathon.” It extended over a period of 24 years.”