The United Arab Emirates is hosting the Dubai Marathon and Raqqa Half Marathon at the start of the new year
Planning your road racing calendar for 2026? If so, why not target one of the big events in the United Arab Emirates?
It Dubai Marathon takes place on February 1 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon two weeks later on February 14?
The area has great weather, great people and culture, affordable shopping and world-class infrastructure, as well as a host of events and activities that make the UAE one of the world’s top ideal travel destinations.
The UAE has also put itself on the current map in recent years.
The Dubai Marathon is a fast course and also an interesting destination if you want to combine your running with sightseeing. Dubai’s linear layout makes it easy to navigate, as the airport is minutes from key areas such as Dubai Creek, Downtown and the Marina.
You can enjoy award-winning restaurants, sparkling beaches like the white sands of Kite Beach and the luxury of Dubai’s Heritage District, and with amazing water slides and theme parks, there’s everything you need to relax before or after the marathon.
The 2026 event is also the 25th anniversary of the race, and its course records of 2:03:34 by Getene Molla and 2:16:07 by Tigist Ketema show why it is one of the fastest marathons in the world.
The winners of Dubai Marathon 2025 were Gemechu of Ethiopia with 2:04:51 and Bedatu Hirpa of Ethiopia with 2:18:2.
To learn more about the Dubai Marathon: see here.
Meanwhile, the RAK Half features four different race distances available on the UAE’s Al Marjan Island, with the choice of tackling 2km, 5km, 10km or the half marathon.
Not only does Ras Al Khaimah stage one of the world’s best half-marathon races, but it’s also one of the most “must-see” cities, with brilliant weather, great infrastructure, golden beaches and world-class dining and shopping.
The northernmost Emirate of the UAE has become one of the most sought-after destinations in the Middle East.
For those traveling to the Emirate, remember that there is no hard border between Ras Al Khaimah and its neighboring emirates, including Dubai. So you can travel freely between Ras Al Khaimah and other neighboring emirates without any restrictions.
With the 2026 race taking place on February 14, you could even combine it with the Valentine’s Day holiday.
In the race itself, the course has set several world records over the years. In 2007, Sammy Wanjiru set a men’s world record of 58:53 at the RAK Half. Three women’s world records have also been set since then: Mary Kaytani’s 65:50 in 2011, Peres Jepchircir’s 64:52 in 2017 and Abal Yeshane’s 64:31 in 2020.
More recently, in 2022, Jacob Kiplimo and Girmavit Gebrziheir set course records of 57:56 and 64:14 respectively, while Eilish McColgan (below) set a British record of 66:26.
In 2025, Kenya’s Alex Matata won the RAK Half in 59:20, while Ethiopia’s Ejgaehu Taye (pictured above) won the women’s race in 65:52.
Learn more about the RAK Half and enter here.
