The 26th Dubai Marathon is on Sunday 17 January 2027, with a 42.195 km marathon, a 10 km road race and a 4 km fun run. Registration is open online, and entry costs $150, $85 and $50. The marathon runs along Al Sufouh and Jumeirah Beach Road past the Burj Al Arab and finishes at the Dubai Police Academy. This guide covers start times, the route, race-pack collection, the free finish-line grandstands, how to reach them without a car, and an easy afternoon after the race, such as a jet ski ride to the Burj Al Arab.
By SB Excursions · Published 3 November 2026 · Updated 3 November 2026
Tour on this route: Jet Ski to Burj Al Arab in Dubai — From $79 per jet ski, 30 minutes or 1 hour.
When is the Dubai Marathon 2027?
Sunday 17 January 2027, the 26th edition. The elite marathon starts at 5:45 AM and the mass marathon at 6:30 AM. The 10 km starts at 8:00 AM and the 4 km fun run at 10:00 AM, according to the official pages.
This guide also answers:
- How much does it cost to enter the Dubai Marathon?
- Can tourists run the Dubai Marathon?
- How cold is it on race morning?
The three races and how to watch
#1
Marathon, 42.195 km
The elite start is at 5:45 AM and the mass start at 6:30 AM. The course goes out along Al Sufouh to a turn at Dubai Media City, then runs two loops on Jumeirah Beach Road past the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and finishes in front of the grandstand at the Dubai Police Academy. The finish limit is six hours.
#2
10 km Road Race
The organisers say the 10 km starts at 8:00 AM on Al Sufouh, after Madinat Jumeirah, in the shadow of the Burj Al Arab. Water is offered at 3 km, 8 km and the finish. The route description on the official site is a map only, so download the map from the Routes and Maps page before race day. Every finisher gets a T-shirt, a medal and a digital certificate.
#3
4 km Fun Run
The 4 km Fun Run is open to everyone and starts at 10:00 AM. It is the right choice for a family or for a visitor who does not run regularly. The only water is at the finish, so drink before you start. Finishers receive a T-shirt, a medal and a participation certificate.
#4
Watching at the finish, Dubai Police Academy
The official FAQ says the finish grandstands have free seating, first come, first served, and that there is no public parking near the finish. The organisers suggest using the Metro to Mall of the Emirates, crossing the Metro Bridge and walking past the Police Academy to Umm Sequim Road. Food and activities are in the finish area for participants and spectators.
#5
After the race: the Burj Al Arab from the water
Our jet ski ride starts at Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour, in the same district as the marathon start and finish, and the first ride is 30 minutes to the Burj Al Arab for $79 per jet ski. Book an afternoon slot, because roads near the race area are expected to be closed or busy in the morning.
Dubai Marathon 2027: the short answer
The Dubai Marathon is on Sunday 17 January 2027. The organiser's website calls it the 26th edition and says registration is open. There are three races: a 42.195 km marathon, a 10 km road race and a 4 km fun run. The elite marathon starts at 5:45 AM, the mass marathon at 6:30 AM, the 10 km at 8:00 AM and the 4 km at 10:00 AM, according to the official pages.
We found no spectator ticket: the official FAQ describes free grandstand seating at the finish. The marathon runs along the Jumeirah coast past the Burj Al Arab, so road closures are expected around the start and finish. This page was checked on 2 November 2026; entry fees, times and the route can change, so confirm them on the official website before you pay or plan.
Distances, start times and entry fees
The official entry page lists fees in US dollars. We give them as listed.
| Race | Who can enter | Start time | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon, 42.195 km | Age 18 and over | 5:45 AM elite; 6:30 AM mass start | $150 |
| 10 km Road Race | Age 15 and over | 8:00 AM | $85 |
| 4 km Fun Run | Open to all | 10:00 AM | $50 |
As of 2 November 2026, from the official Dubai Marathon website. The entry fees page showed the 10 km and 4 km start times as to be confirmed, and the registration page showed 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Every finisher receives a race T-shirt and a finisher's medal, and a downloadable certificate. The race is timed with electronic chips attached to the bib; the organisers warn that without a chip there is no time. The marathon prize money is $80,000 for first place, $40,000 for second and $20,000 for third, the same for men and women, according to the official prize page.
The marathon route
The marathon starts near the Dubai Police Academy in Umm Suqeim; the organiser's pages name Umm Sequim Road and Al Taryam Road. It turns onto Al Sufouh and runs out past the Palm Island entrance to a U-turn at the Dubai Media City entrance. It then returns along Al Sufouh, past Madinat Jumeirah, onto Jumeirah Beach Road.
On Jumeirah Beach Road the runners pass the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Marsa Al Arab, make a U-turn after the Al Mehemal Road junction and come back. This loop is run twice. The finish is on the parade grounds of the Police Academy, in front of the grandstand. Our Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab guide shows the area.
Registration and race-pack collection
Registration is online only, through the link on the official How to Register page. We did not find a closing date on the pages we read. The organiser reserves the right to limit and refuse entries, so register early if you are travelling for the race. There is no refund and no transfer of an entry, including if you do not take part, and places cannot be transferred under any circumstances. Running on someone else's entry leads to disqualification and a ban.
Race numbers are collected at Dubai Media City, at The Agenda, on Wednesday 13 January from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, on Thursday 14 January and Friday 15 January from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and on Saturday 16 January from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Bring proof of identity. Someone else can collect for you if they have a printed copy of the final confirmation email, which the organisers send one week before the race, and their own ID. No pets and no wheeled transport, such as bicycles or roller blades, are allowed on the route.
Race morning: weather, water and bags
The organisers give the start temperature as about 10 to 15°C. Bring a layer that you can leave at the baggage area. Bag drop is near the start and finish for marathon and 10 km runners only, and only the bag from your race pack is accepted, with the sticker from your number.
Marathon water is offered every 2.5 km from 5 km to 40 km, and hydration drinks at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 km. Toilets and medical stations are at the main drink stations. After the finish, allow up to 40 minutes to collect your medal, water and bag and leave the secure area, so agree a meeting place with your supporters in advance. Our Dubai in January guide has the usual weather for the month.
Watching the Dubai Marathon and getting there
The official FAQ is clear that there is no public parking near the finish and strongly recommends public transport. The organisers suggest parking at Al Wasl Road junctions or in the Mall of the Emirates and Al Barsha area, then crossing the Metro Bridge at Mall of the Emirates and walking past the Dubai Police Academy to Umm Sequim Road. If you do not have a car, take the Metro to Mall of the Emirates; our Dubai Metro guide explains the Red Line, and the guide to getting around Dubai compares the options.
For taxis, the organisers list a drop-off point on Al Wasl Road before the race and a pick-up point after it. They advise booking in advance and arriving at least 90 minutes before the start. Our taxi and Careem guide shows how the apps work. We have not seen the Metro hours for race day. Check the RTA announcements before you plan an early start.
Fitting the race into a January trip
The race falls on the last day of the Dubai Shopping Festival, which runs until 17 January; see our Dubai Shopping Festival guide. Four days later the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament starts, on 21 January and running to 24 January, according to its official site, and our sports events roundup puts all the winter dates in one table. For the month as a whole, see what's on in Dubai in January 2027.
After the race, keep the afternoon light. Our jet ski ride to the Burj Al Arab is from $79 per jet ski for 30 minutes, or $140 for a full hour that continues to Atlantis. It meets at Umm Suqeim Fishing Harbour, about 20 minutes before your slot, and there is no hotel pickup. That harbour is in the same district as the start and finish, so choose an afternoon slot and ask us on WhatsApp about road closures before you book a morning one. For a rest day, the one-hour shared yacht tour in the Marina is from $32 per person, and the Burj Khalifa deck is from $55.
FAQ
When is the Dubai Marathon 2027?
Sunday 17 January 2027, the 26th edition. The elite marathon starts at 5:45 AM and the mass marathon at 6:30 AM. The 10 km starts at 8:00 AM and the 4 km fun run at 10:00 AM, according to the official pages.
How much does it cost to enter the Dubai Marathon?
The official page lists $150 for the marathon, $85 for the 10 km road race and $50 for the 4 km fun run. Entry is online only. There is no refund and no transfer of an entry.
Can tourists run the Dubai Marathon?
Yes, you can register online. You must be 18 or over for the marathon and 15 or over for the 10 km, and the 4 km is open to all. The organiser can limit or refuse entries, so register early.
What is the Dubai Marathon route?
It starts near the Dubai Police Academy in Umm Suqeim, runs out along Al Sufouh to Dubai Media City, then does two loops on Jumeirah Beach Road past the Burj Al Arab, and finishes at the Police Academy. The time limit is six hours.
Can I watch the Dubai Marathon, and is it free?
The official FAQ describes free grandstand seating at the finish, first come, first served. There is no public parking near the finish, so use the Metro to Mall of the Emirates and walk, or take a taxi to the drop-off point on Al Wasl Road.
How cold is it on race morning?
The organisers give about 10 to 15°C at the start. Bring a warm layer for the wait, and use the baggage area near the start if you are running the marathon or the 10 km.
When do I collect my race number?
At Dubai Media City, from Wednesday 13 to Saturday 16 January 2027: Wednesday 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Thursday and Friday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Take proof of identity, because the organisers advise collecting in person.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Jet Ski to Burj Al Arab in Dubai
It is the Burj Al Arab from sea level, without a licence or previous experience: the instructor rides in front, stops at the landmark for photos and sends you the files after the ride, and two people share one jet ski at no extra cost. The 60-minute ride continues to Atlantis on the Palm, and a 2-hour ride is arranged on request for groups of 4 jet skis or more.
- Duration
- 30 minutes or 1 hour
- Area
- Jumeirah, Dubai
- Format
- Guided jet ski
- Best for
- couples, friends and first-time riders who want the Burj Al Arab from the water
From $79 per jet ski Full prepayment
View tour
Dubai Marina Shared Yacht Tour
It is the most stylish way to see the skyline without paying for a private charter: a premium yacht with spacious decks and 5-star hospitality, a red carpet at the pier and the crew helping with photos against JBR and Ain Dubai. Full pre-payment secures your slot — the hourly departures sell out — and the yacht leaves strictly on time.
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared 1-hour sightseeing cruise
- Best for
- families, couples and anyone who wants the Marina skyline from the water without a private charter
From $32 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
It is a ticket, not a guided tour: you pick the date and time slot, we book it and send the e-tickets on WhatsApp, and you make your own way to The Dubai Mall. Levels 124 and 125 suit most visitors; SKY adds Level 148 at 555 m with priority access, a multilingual host and refreshments. On request we also book Sky Views Observatory, The View at The Palm and Dubai Frame.
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Area
- Downtown Dubai
- Format
- Timed-entry ticket
- Best for
- first-time visitors, couples and families who want Dubai from the observation decks of the 828-metre Burj Khalifa
From $55 per person Full prepayment
View tour📚 Keep reading
Photos: Watching at the finish, Dubai Police Academy — Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons).