Dubai Run 2025 is underway on Sheikh Zayed Road on November 23, 2025. EXPAT MEDIA

A sea of runners in blue shirts filled Sheikh Zayed Road on Sunday morning (November 23) as Dubai Run 2025 officially got underway, turning the city’s busiest highway into the world’s largest running track for one day. A total of 307,000 runners participated in Sunday’s event, making it another record-breaking Dubai Run, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office. By 5am, thousands of participants had already taken their places for the 5km and 10km routes, part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), now in its ninth edition themed “Year of the Community.” Last year’s record-breaking turnout of 278,000 participants—led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai—once again set the tone for this year’s massive spectacle focused on unity and wellness. Watch the live coverage RACE ROUTES 5km Route • Starts at Sheikh Zayed Road • Passes Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera • Ends near Dubai Mall 10km Route • Extends across Dubai Canal Bridge • Passes through DIFC • Finishes at DIFC Gate Building Both routes are free and open to all ages and fitness levels. ROAD CLOSURES (3am–10am) According to the RTA, the following routes are fully or partially closed: • Sheikh Zayed Road (Trade Centre Roundabout to Al Hadiq Road bridge) • Lower Financial Centre Street (SZR to Al Khail Road) • One-way direction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard • One-way lane of Al Sukook Street • Parking areas parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road Alternative roads open: Upper Financial Centre Street, Zabeel Palace Road, Al Wasl Road, Al Khail Road Roads began closing as early as 3am and will reopen progressively after 10am. EXTENDED METRO SERVICE To support early arrivals, Dubai Metro began operating at 3am, with trains running until midnight. Runners are advised to use World Trade Centre Metro Station for fastest access. Nol card reminders: • Silver: Dh15 minimum balance • Gold: Dh30 minimum balance SALIK TOLL ADJUSTMENTS To minimize congestion, Salik toll fees have been adjusted: Peak hours: • 6am–10am: Dh6 • 4pm–8pm: Dh4 Low-peak hours: • 10am–4pm: Dh4 • 8pm–1am: Dh4 Off-peak: • 1am–6am: Free FULL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE The event features one of the biggest entertainment lineups in the history of Dubai Run: Aerial Paramotor Shows • 4:45am, 6:30am, 7:15am • With flags, LED lights, smoke & pyrotechnics 60 LED Orbs Distributed between 4:30am–4:45am Inflatable Costume Takeover 300 people dressed as camels, flamingos, horses, dinosaurs and more Giant LED Puppets • At 5am, 6:15am, 7:30am Warrior LED Drum Show • 5:30am, 6:30am, 7:45am Modesh & Dana at Starting Line • 5:10am, 6:30am, 7:45am Route Entertainment • LED stilt walkers from 6:50am • Polka drummers at 6:45am, 7:15am, 7:45am • Taiko drummers at 7am, 7:30am, 8am • Hype Bears at 7:15am, 7:45am, 8:15am • Filipino School Dubai Drum & Lyre Corps (55 performers): 6:50am, 7:25am, 8:10am • Latino Circus: 7:15am, 7:45am, 8:15am DJ UNTOLD at Dubai Mall • Live set 6:30am–10am Water Stations • After Business Bay Metro • After the underpass • By CCA • At Lower Financial Murooj Complex ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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