Dubai: The Dubai Sports Council has discussed the latest preparations for organising the 23rd edition of the Dubai Marathon, the oldest long-distance running race in the Middle East, which is being held with the support of the Dubai Sports Council. on Sunday (January 7).

The latest preparations were discussed during a meeting held by HE Mr. Saeed Hareb, Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, Mr. Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary-General, Mr. Peter Connerton, Event Director, and Mr. Alan Ewens, Media Director of the race.

Points discussed included the logistics for organising an event that will be held in the beautiful Umm Suqeim area along Jumeirah Road, a route enjoyed by elite marathon runners keen to come from overseas to participate in the first international marathon of 2024. 

The exceptional route provides them with the fast, flat roads they prefer in a marathon considered one of the fastest in the world. The meeting also discussed the number of registrants, their nationalities, and the arrangements made in cooperation with various government departments to ensure the smooth flow of the event.

HE Mr. Hareb expressed his confidence in the staging of the Dubai Marathon, especially since it features cooperation between a number of government agencies and the organising committee to ensure its success and provide the best atmosphere for thousands of international participants coming to run a race they look forward to every year. 

He also expressed his confidence in the expertise of the organising committee who continue to add new aspects every year.

Meanwhile, Mr. Peter Connerton explained the latest preparations for organising the event, the arrival of international participants and organisers from outside the country as well as the procedures taken in order to ensure the event meets the high standard of sporting events staged in Dubai.

A press conference will be held on Friday (January 5) at the SIRO One Za'abeel, during which further details of the event will be announced, elite athletes will be introduced, and the new Dubai Marathon trophy unveiled.

Those registered to run will compete over three distances: the 42.195km Marathon, a 10km Road Race and a 4KM Fun Run race for all categories of men and women and people of determination of all nationalities from inside and outside the country.

Participants will pass prominent tourist attractions such as the Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah, and Palm Island. The start will be near Madinat Jumeirah before participants turn left leading to Al Sufouh and pass through the Dubai College intersection, passing the entrance to Palm Island on the other side of the road, then the entrance to Dubai Media City on the left and back at the Westin Dubai Mina Hotel traffic lights. 

Runners will return along Al Sufouh area, passing Madinat Jumeirah and heading to Jumeirah Beach Road, passing by Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel on the left.

Runners then head to Jumeirah Beach Road then return to the Madinat Jumeirah intersection and then take the same route again. After completing the route for the second time on Jumeirah Beach Road, runners turn left after Burj Al Arab at the Madinat Jumeirah intersection and head along Umm Suqeim Road, towards the finish line before the Dubai Police Academy.

Registrations to run can still be made through the official website dubaimarathon.org until Saturday (January 6). 
Runners who hold a valid UAE residence visa and UAE driving licence can also have the chance to win an EXEED RX, courtesy of EXEED by Al Ghurair, the renowned premium vehicle brand represented by AG Auto in the UAE

The 2024 Dubai Marathon is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, Dubai Duty Free, EXEED by Al Ghurair, the Channel 4 Radio Network, the ITP Media Group, Bisleri Water, Biofreeze, Dubai RTA, Dubai Police, Al Ameen Service, Dubai Municipality and SIRO One Za'abeel, the first fully integrated Fitness + Recovery