Nibret Melak came from third place to make a solid move at the 35k point to win the men’s field of the 2026 Dubai Marathon in 2:04:00 on Sunday as Anchinalu Dessie bolted at the 40k mark to win the women’s race in 2:18:31.
Melak, in his marathon debut, trailed Joseph Wajahat and Berehanu Tsegu through 30k before pulling away and taking the win. He held pace with a lead men’s group of 11 other runners that cruised through the halfway point in 1:02:07. But by 30k at the group showed some signs wear and Melak adjust and made his move shortly after.
Around 40k, his lead opened to over a minute in the closing moments of the race. With his 2:04:00 win Melak tied the third fastest time ever run on the course, missing the course record by 26 seconds.
“I was very well prepared and it was always my goal to win on my debut,” Melak said, “My big goal in the future is to break the world record.”
Yasin Haji took second in 2:05:52 while John Hakizimana finished third in 2:06:04. It is eleventh time a competitor, man or woman, has made their debut in Dubai and won, according to organizers.
Meanwhile in the women’s race, Dessie spend most of the competition locked in with the lead women’s group but made a decisive move on Muliye Dekebo and Fantu Worku at 40k to open a lead as she took the title.
Dekebo looked to be in position to break from Dessie, who stayed close with just over over 2km, but faded as it was later revealed that she was dealing with a stomach issue. Dessie seized the slight advantage and pushed the pace to close out the remainder of the race.
“I thought I could still win it in the latter stages of the race and while it’s nice to run a personal best, but I think I can even run faster in the future,” Dessie said.
Dekebo was second and Worku took third place in 2:19:08.
Men’s top finishers
1. Nibret Melak (Ethiopia) – 2:04:00
2. Yasin Haji (Ethiopia) – 2:05:52
3. John Hakizimana (Rwanda) – 2:06:04
4. (Ethiopia) – 2:06:48
5. (Ethiopia) – 2:06:48
6. Jiregna Geleta (Ethiopia) – 2:06:57
7. Berehanu Tsegu (Ethiopia) – 2:07:13
8. Gadissa Tafa (Ethiopia) – 2:07:51
9. Dechasa Alemu (Ethiopia) – 2:08:21
10. Belay Bezabeh (Ethiopia) – 2:08:23
Women’s top finishers
1. Anchinalu Dessie (Ethiopia) – 2:18:31
2. Muliye Dekebo (Ethiopia) – 2:18:43
3. Fantu Worku (Ethiopia) – 2:19:08
4. Tiringo Mulu (Ethiopia) – 2:21:12
5. Maritu Ketema (Ethiopia) – 2:21:52
6. Askale Alemaheyu (Ethiopia) – 2:22:56
7. Aberash Shilima (Ethiopia) – 2:23:04
8. Fantu Shugi (Ethiopia) – 2:23:29
9. Elifinesh Demise (Ethiopia) – 2:23:30
10. Abebech Afework (Ethiopia) – 2:23:52
