Dubai, UAE – 1 Feb 2026 – The city of Dubai began its main street closures at midnight on Sunday for the 25th annual Dubai Marathon which started on February 1, 2026. The streets of the emirate witnessed thousands of runners who created traffic flow changes throughout the city while attracting large crowds. The popular race caused major Dubai road closures which required drivers and commuters to prepare for travel disruptions by planning their routes in advance.
The marathon stands as one of Dubai’s most significant athletic events. The event drew international participants who started their race through city streets before the sun rose. Authorities established major Dubai road closures to ensure the race proceeded without complications across the main routes which connect both local residents and visitors.
The road closures commenced at midnight early Sunday morning. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced temporary street closures which will enable safe passage for runners through designated areas. The major Dubai road closures affected high traffic areas throughout the city which included streets close to Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah.
What Drivers Needed to Know Before Race Day?
Motorists discovered major Dubai road closures through the signs which displayed their current locations. The RTA recommended that drivers should depart earlier than their usual time while using different travel paths. Some roads had already reached closure status with restricted access before the marathon commenced.
Abdullah Omran Taryam Street closed its section between Umm Suqeim Street and Al Thowima Street starting from 1 a.m. on Sunday. The marathon start and finish areas required this early closure to facilitate their setup. The street closures started at 4.45 a.m. through Jumeirah Street and King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street. Drivers needed to find new routes to navigate through the major Dubai road closures which blocked their regular driving routes.
Commuters were also told that these changes were likely to continue into the afternoon. Most closures will remain until the majority of runners have finished and roads are safe for normal traffic again.
Weekend Closure Dates & Times
| Date | Event | Major Dubai Road Closures | Closure Times |
| Sunday, 1 Feb 2026 | Dubai Marathon | Road closures for marathon routes | Most closures from 1:00 am until afternoon |
| Saturday & Sunday | Partial closures in Abu Dhabi | Partial closures on major roads | All day (Abu Dhabi) |
Roads Affected by Major Dubai Road Closures
On Sunday, 1 February 2026, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has confirmed multiple closures linked to the marathon.
- Umm Suqeim Street – extended closures near the finish area
- Abdullah Omran Taryam Street – full closure early morning
- Al Thowima Street – linked closure zone
- Jumeirah Street – partial closure from early morning
- King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street – partial closure at key intersections
These major Dubai road closures are needed to ensure runner safety and event coordination. RTA advises avoiding driving through these areas until normal traffic resumes later in the afternoon.
How the Closures Affected Daily Life?
The major Dubai road closures reshaped how people moved around. Buses and ride services had to adjust routes. Some popular areas took longer to reach by car. Traffic signs were put up to direct drivers around closed roads. The city of Dubai began its main street closures at midnight on Sunday for the 25th annual Dubai Marathon which started on February 1 2026. The streets of the emirate witnessed thousands of runners who created traffic flow changes throughout the city while attracting large crowds. The popular race caused major Dubai road closures which required drivers and commuters to prepare for travel disruptions by planning their routes in advance.
The marathon stands as one of Dubai’s most significant athletic events. The event drew international participants who started their race through city streets before the sun rose. Authorities established major Dubai road closures to ensure the race proceeded without complications across the main routes which connect both local residents and visitors.
The road closures commenced at midnight early Sunday morning. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced temporary street closures which will enable safe passage for runners through designated areas. The major Dubai road closures affected high traffic areas throughout the city which included streets close to Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah.
What Drivers Needed to Know Before Race Day?
Motorists discovered major Dubai road closures through the signs which displayed their current locations. The RTA recommended that drivers should depart earlier than their usual time while using different travel paths. Some roads had already reached closure status with restricted access before the marathon commenced.
Abdullah Omran Taryam Street closed its section between Umm Suqeim Street and Al Thowima Street starting from 1 a.m. on Sunday. The marathon start and finish areas required this early closure to facilitate their setup. The street closures started at 4.45 a.m. through Jumeirah Street and King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Street. Drivers needed to find new routes to navigate through the major Dubai road closures which blocked their regular driving routes.
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