Former World Marathon Champion Lelisa Desisa will return to the scene of one of his most memorable victories when he joins the elite field of world-class athletes at the 24th Dubai Marathon on Sunday, January 12, 2025.

In 2013, the now 34 year-old Ethiopian, set a personal best of 2:04:45 when winning the Dubai Marathon, producing a performance that announced his arrival on the world stage and set him on a path that would lead to two wins in the Boston Marathon, victory in the 2018 New York Marathon and a gold at the World Marathon Championship in 2019.

Staged under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council, the Dubai Marathon will see Desisa return to competitive competition after a few years devoted to business and family matters.

Following his World Championship win in Doha in October 2019, Desisa found his international running opportunities curtailed by the global pandemic and with an eye on his post-running future focused his efforts on starting a business in Ethiopia.

With his affairs now sorted and two young children recently welcomed to the Desisa family, the three-time big city marathon champion is back in full-time training having confirmed the Dubai Marathon for his running return.

“Lelisa’s victory in 2013 saw one of the most memorable finishes in the history of the Dubai Marathon so we are happy to welcome him back to the event,” said Race Director Peter Connerton.

“Eleven years ago, Lelisa won in a sprint finish that saw the top five all finish in under two hours, five minutes – the first time that had happened in marathon history. It’s a testament to the flat and fast route we have in Dubai that Lelisa wants to continue his comeback in the UAE on January 12.”

Prior to the pandemic, Desisa was one of the hottest properties in long distance running – eight top three big city marathon finishes, including those three victories, in six years established him at the top of the sport – and his return to international competition will be eagerly anticipated.

Desisa, who also won the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in 2014, will join a field of world-class elite athletes for the 24th staging of the Middle East’s fastest international marathon and will be joined by thousands of runners competing in the three-race event. Registration for the Marathon, the 10km Road Race and the 4km Fun Run can made online only at dubaimarathon.org.

The 2025 Dubai Marathon is supported by the Dubai Sports Council, adidas, the Channel 4 Radio Network, ITP Media Group, Dubai Duty Free, Bisleri Water, Dubai RTA, Dubai Police and Dubai Municipality.