📊 Major Marathons in Africa & Middle East (Summary Table)
| Marathon | Country | City | Month | Participants | Competition | Tier | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Marathon | UAE | Dubai | January | ~15,000 | Medium | A | Very fast course, high prize money |
| Cape Town Marathon | South Africa | Cape Town | October | ~18,000 | Medium | A | Major candidate, scenic |
| Istanbul Marathon | Turkey | Istanbul | November | ~25,000 | Medium | B | Only intercontinental marathon |
| Jerusalem Marathon | Israel | Jerusalem | March | ~10,000 | Low | B | Historic course |
| Marrakech Marathon | Morocco | Marrakech | January | ~8,000 | Low | B | Winter destination race |
| Abu Dhabi Marathon | UAE | Abu Dhabi | December | ~12,000 | Low | B | Fast growing event |
| Two Oceans Marathon* | South Africa | Cape Town | April | ~16,000 | Medium | A | Iconic ultra-distance race |
*Note: Two Oceans is technically an ultra marathon but globally recognized.
🏃♂️ The Most Important Marathons in Africa and the Middle East
Africa and the Middle East have become increasingly important regions in global marathon running. While Africa produces many of the world’s fastest runners, the Middle East has invested heavily in building world-class marathon events.
These races combine elite performance, unique geography, and global significance.
Dubai Marathon: One of the Fastest Courses in the World
The Dubai Marathon is widely known for its flat and fast course. Many elite runners from Kenya and Ethiopia have achieved some of their best performances here.
The race also became famous for offering some of the highest prize money in marathon history.
This makes Dubai one of the most performance-focused marathons outside the World Marathon Majors.
Cape Town Marathon: Africa’s Global Marathon Leader
Cape Town Marathon is the most important marathon in Africa.
With its stunning scenery and improving international participation, it is considered a strong candidate to become a future World Marathon Major.
This race represents Africa’s growing influence in global marathon running.
Istanbul Marathon: Running Between Two Continents
The Istanbul Marathon is unique because runners cross the Bosphorus Bridge, moving from Asia into Europe.
This makes it the only marathon in the world where runners travel between continents during the race.
It offers one of the most geographically unique marathon experiences.
Why These Marathons Matter
Africa and the Middle East represent the future expansion of marathon running.
Key reasons include:
Strong elite athlete presence
Fast race courses
Growing international participation
These races are becoming essential destinations for runners exploring global marathons.
Conclusion
While the World Marathon Majors remain the most famous, marathons in Africa and the Middle East are rapidly gaining global attention.
For runners interested in performance, history, and unique experiences, these races offer some of the most compelling opportunities in the world of marathon running.
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