Dubai Marathon Set to Return Home in 2024
The iconic Dubai Marathon is set for a welcome return to its traditional course next year, with organisers confirming the 2024 edition will start and finish on Umm Suqeim Road in the centre of Dubai.
Sanctioned once again by the Dubai Sports Council, the 23rd staging of the prestigious race on Sunday January 7th will see the marathon, half marathon and 4km fun run categories all follow the established route through the heart of the city.
For Peter Connerton, Event Director of the Dubai Marathon, securing the longstanding course was essential. “We are very grateful to the Dubai Sports Council, as well as the Dubai Police, Dubai RTA and Dubai Municipality, for working with us to facilitate the staging of the 2024 Dubai Marathon,” he said.
Indeed, putting on a major international marathon within a thriving metropolis the size of Dubai requires extensive coordination between various government departments.
Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, acknowledges this. “The Dubai Marathon is well established as one of the largest annual sporting events on the calendar and is a firm favourite with runners of all ages and abilities, so it is important the city gets fully behind it.”
“With our governmental colleagues, we will continue to work closely with the organisers to stage another memorable event that brings international running into the heart of the city.”
So runners registering for 2024 can look forward to beginning and ending their races close to the Dubai Police Academy on Umm Suqeim Road. The classic marathon distance will then take in the iconic sights of Jumeirah Beach Road beneath the Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah.
“While it’s an established route that has proved to be popular with locally based runners as well as the growing number of international marathon tourists from outside the region, we know that staging a city marathon is a major challenge for the governmental departments, particularly with Dubai now being home to some 3.6 million people,” Connerton said.
“We simply could not operate on the streets of the emirate without the help of our city partners, and we thank the Dubai Sports Council for their invaluable co-ordination and ongoing support.”
It’s a course renowned among competitors for its fast, flat layout and conducive January temperatures. Many use Dubai to record an Olympic qualifying time before the Paris 2024 Summer Games – the deadline for which is April 30th next year.
“International athletes are well aware that Dubai is a race that can put them in the global spotlight and open doors to a successful career in long distance running,” added Connerton.
While elite races take centre stage, the event is equally a celebration of mass participation. Tens of thousands now descend annually from over 160 countries to test their limits over the 4km, 10km or full marathon.
For many, simply finishing such iconic courses in a global city like Dubai is a lifelong dream realised. Organisers expect high demand for places again in 2024 given the route’s popularity with local residents too.
With registration now open online at dubaimarathon.org, all eyes will be on the streets of Dubai come January 7th as the world’s best battle it out and participants achieve personal goals on a memorable route that truly brings the spectacle of marathon running home.
