2026 Dubai Marathon clamp held on January 30, 2026. It was held on the 11th floor at the Ciel Dubai Marina Hotel, a brand new hotel in Dubai Marina (it’s only four months old). Participation in the Dubai Marathon Presser was included Peter Connertonrace director, Paula Radcliffe,MBE: Dubai Marathon Ambassador (former WR owner and color commentator for the Dubai Marathon program); Richard Whitehead MBE(who is running his 102nd marathon in Dubai). Ahmed Al Kamali, is on stage in robes. Mr Al Kamali has participated in the Dubai Marathon since its inception and is a power broker in the UAE’s sporting culture.
Every year when I go to Dubai (was there from 2013-2019) I stream the presser live. I do this for several reasons, one to give our readers a deeper understanding of these events, to provide a reference for me and my team, and to describe a very unique approach to sports. Dubai. All are interviewed by Alan Ewans, Event Communications Manager. Questions are asked by Pat Butcher, renowned athletics journalist, Tim Hutchings, 4th in the 1984 Olympic 5000m, phenomenal athletics commentator, the media in the seats and then yours truly.
I try to ask questions of the athletes, Peter and the powers that be to see what is different about this race every year. The truth is that the Dubai Marathon is unique. Without appearance money, Peter Connerton thinks he’s putting the money into performance bonuses and deep-end money.
What he gets are the incredible performances of many athletes early in their careers, e.g. Tamirat Tola, who won the New York and Paris Olympics. Early in the history of racing, Haile Gebreslassie won three years in a row and put the Dubai Marathon on the map.
It was pretty clear this year that the race was wide open and that we were going to have two great races. Over the past few years, women have been getting to work early and picking up the pace, while men have been faltering a bit early in the speed department.
The 2026 Dubai Marathon will host the world’s fastest men’s and women’s marathon times on February 1. for me Dubai Marathon Press is part of history.
Special thanks Mike Dearing. MIke is the production manager for all on-demand podcasts RunBlogRun: and: runnetwork.com, developed Stronger Media Group, LLC. RunBlogRun produces #SocialingtheDistance, #ConversationswithLarry, #athleticschat, as well as special collab series such as: #The Journeyto Compete (collaboration with NIKE).
