As an overachiever who started enjoying running back in 2019, a half-marathon was the best I could manage. I knew I eventually wanted to do a full marathon — but then life happened. After letting two editions of Burj2Burj pass, I finally found my way back into running. I thought there’s no better way to start the year than by joining the Burj2Burj Half Marathon 2026 in the beautiful city of Dubai, UAE.
With long hours at work as a corporate professional (that sounded so serious, lol), limited training, apartment shifting, and major life adjustments — how do you think I did?
If you’re also an overachiever in Dubai, wondering whether you should join Burj2Burj despite your busy schedule, this post is for you. Here’s everything you need to know about the Burj2Burj Half Marathon Dubai, plus my honest experience as someone returning from a long break in running.
💡 Want more adventure inspiration? Here are some of my outdoor experiences in Dubai and the UAE that might inspire you to kickstart your active lifestyle:
- How a (Crazy) Beginner Like Me prepared for a Half-Marathon in less than 30 days
- Rock Climbing at Stardust, Ras Al Khaimah
- Dubai Run 2022 Experience (Largest Fun Run in the World)
- 5KM DXB Snow Run 2023 in Ski Dubai
- XLine Dubai Marina Zipline Experience
- A Beginner's Biking Experience in Mushrif Park in Dubai, UAE
Note: Some products mentioned in this post are linked for reference. I personally use and test everything I share.
Burj2Burj Half Marathon Dubai 2026: Route, Cost & Race Kit
Half Marathon Route Overview
Tagged as one of the most iconic half marathons in the world, the first Burj2Burj race in 2024 offered a spectacular journey from Burj Khalifa all the way to Burj Al Arab.
The race now starts at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, passes through DIFC, offers a glimpse of the famous Burj Khalifa, crosses Sheikh Zayed Road, continues to Al Wasl and 2nd December Street, reaches Dubai Canal, and finally finishes at Jumeirah Beach.
Although the Dubai Canal section includes some elevation gain, it’s not overly strenuous. Even beginner and slow runners can prepare for it with proper training.
Race Cost & Kit
Registration for the Burj2Burj Half Marathon Dubai typically opens a few months before race day, with early bird rates selling out quickly. The cost of early bird tickets starts from AED 190, while last-minute registrations cost up to AED 320.
My entry was a complimentary gift from the organizers because we volunteered as a support team during their previous event, Ultra Trail Dubai (UTD). However, my boyfriend signed up very late and paid AED 363.52 (VAT & Admin Fee included).
Registration includes the running experience plus a race kit with a lightweight tee sponsored by Asics, and some goodies as follows (links are inserted to know more):
- Vegan Protein Drink Mix from Rite
- Vitamin & Protein Bar from Fulfil
- 3-sachet Pack of electrolytes from Humantra (flavors are Himalayan Lime, Lychee, Elderberry)
- Maurten Gel 100
- Trial sachet of Anthelios UV Mune 400 Sun Cream from La Roche Posay
Half-Marathon Training: My 8-Week Training Plan
Unlike my crazy preparation back in 2019 (see post here), this time, I approached it a bit differently. Although far from perfect, my training program consisted of the following:
- Reformer Pilates every Saturday morning
- Long Slow Distance (LSD) Run every Sunday morning
- Interval Run every Thursday morning
And that’s it. To make matters more challenging, I started very late in December and had only about eight (8) weeks of training. I also missed some weekends due to apartment hunting and moving. After the move, I wanted to add a Strength Training and/or a Short Run on a weekday, but my current role and long commute after work were really exhausting to the point that I don't want to talk to anyone anymore, let alone run.
Reformer Pilates through ClassPass
As a ClassPass user (click this referral LINK if you want to experience a free trial!), I was able to rotate my training between three (3) studios at the moment. I'm a long-time visitor of KOR Pilates, however, there were instances that my schedule didn't match my favorite instructor's schedule (Hi Karolina!).
Because of the conflict in schedule, I found Tula Studios (JBR) & Asana Pilates, which were great alternatives.
While Pilates may not fully replace traditional strength training, I felt that my core strength, posture, and overall fitness improved significantly compared to previous years when I only focused on running.
Long Slow Distance (LSD) Runs
Another game-changer for me was taking Long Slow Distance (LSD) runs more seriously. Back in 2019, I focused heavily on increasing my running volume and went for LSD runs almost every other night. While it did build endurance and muscle memory, I later realized it didn’t give my body enough time to properly rest and recover.
This time, I committed to one structured LSD run per week so I could have fresher legs and better recovery. I initially did them in the afternoon, then shifted to early mornings to replicate race-day conditions.
This helped me test what worked best for my fueling strategy, how my stomach reacted to gels, and which clothes felt comfortable depending on the weather.
Columbia Hike Society Outdoor Festival 2026
Last but not least, we participated in an amazing event back in January — the Columbia Hike Society Outdoor Festival. I haven’t written about it yet (soon!), but I genuinely consider it part of my cross-training for the Burj2Burj Half Marathon in Dubai.
The event was hosted by Columbia Hike Society, headed by Tarek Zeidan. It began with a short hike to Al Hayl Castle, followed by holistic activities such as breathwork and meditation, sound healing, yoga and stretching sessions, and a storytelling segment about trail experiences and exploration inside Al Hayl Castle, a historical site.
While it wasn’t intense training, the hike and movement activities helped build endurance differently. It also reminded me why I love outdoor events — not just for performance, but for community.
Half-Marathon Race Sportswear: What I Wore on Race Day
Apart from taking my training seriously, I also made a few small changes to my race-day gear. Here’s a quick summary for runners who just want the essentials:
- Garmin Forerunner 255s Music – GPS running watch
- Asics Jolt 3 Running Shoes – daily trainer
- Compression shorts from Bench
- Kailas mid-cut outdoor socks
Instead of my usual breathable mesh training shorts, I opted for high-stretch compression shorts I bought from a Philippine brand, Bench, during my last trip home. I finally understood the difference — full mobility, no chafing, and the snug yet flexible fit provided extra support in maintaining stride consistency.
Photo credits to Burj2Burj
I also switched from ankle-length socks to mid-cut lightweight outdoor socks from the Chinese brand Kailas, which I bought from their physical store in Bishkek (yes, I was surprised they have a store there too!).
Apart from that, I retained my Asics Jolt 3 running shoes (which I’ve been using since December 2022) and my Garmin Forerunner 255s Music watch (click HERE for my full review). I also wore the free lightweight Asics T-shirt from Burj2Burj — and have I told you I loooove the color?
Overall, I was happy with my sportswear choices — but I made one small mistake.
I knew I needed a place for energy gels and small hydration bottles, but I kept postponing buying a hydration belt. Because of this, I opted to bring a lightweight windbreaker and stored my gels in its pocket. However, during race day, it became warm, so I had to remove it and tie it around my hips. The extra weight of the gels kept flapping against my legs — not the nicest experience for three continuous hours.
Race Day - My Overall Running Experience
Since it was my first time, I didn’t fully grasp how iconic and popular the race was. I heard there were 10,000 runners in 2025 and 15,000 in 2026. With a crowd this massive, I couldn’t find my starting batch nor the pacer flag for my category (sub-3h — yes, I run at my comfortable pace and working on it!).
So I found myself in a random batch, surrounded by runners with different bib colors, which meant we all belonged to different start groups. And just like that, we were off!
Because I wasn’t in my correct pace group, I started too fast. I finished my first kilometer at 7:41 — my fastest first kilometer ever. Fortunately, I was able to slow down and maintain a steadier pace between 8:10–8:20 from the 2nd to the 7th kilometer. I completed the first hour according to plan, which was simply to finish within the official cut-off time.
I slowed down during the second leg (8th–14th kilometer), especially as I approached the Dubai Canal bridge, where I had to walk the last 100 meters uphill. The moment I started going downhill, my true (slow) pace came out. Still, I was satisfied because I remained consistent with my energy levels, fueling strategy, and mental stamina. There were moments when I limped slightly and felt my knee starting to ache, but it wasn’t bad enough to make me stop or lose momentum.
The final stretch was a true test of mental strength, but I was really proud of myself. My official run time (excluding the toilet break) was 3:02:47. Although I exceeded my 3-hour goal by two minutes, my performance was significantly better than during Hatta Hills Run 2019 and RAK Half Marathon 2020, where I honestly felt like I was dying.
Crossing that finish line, I felt like I had discovered a stronger version of myself. I gained more confidence in my endurance, and I feel even more motivated to train consistently toward my future goals.
How To Prepare for the Next Burj2Burj (or Any) Half Marathon in Dubai: Would I Recommend It?
As I always say, I am no expert, but based on my experience, Burj2Burj Half Marathon is for everyone. Runners at all levels are more than welcome to join, and if you're a slow runner like me, don’t be intimidated by the faster ones. Let them run, and they’ll let you run too.
If I could advise my future self on how to prepare better for the next Burj2Burj (or any half-marathon in Dubai), I would note the following:
- Plan the route accordingly – Study the fuel stations, toilet breaks, and elevation gains so your training mimics the actual race experience.
- Prepare for warm weather – I get cold easily, so I expected to feel chilly. Instead, the opposite happened.
- Train longer – I started late and trained less than ideal. Next time, I would allocate at least 16 weeks. If starting from scratch, I would recommend 20–24 weeks of structured preparation.
With all of that said, would I do it again? YES!
I’m all for another season of good vibes, fitness goals, and pushing my limits. That’s all for this post — see you next year!
