Dubai Marathon 2024 date and route announced

Dubai Marathon will return to the heart of the emirate next year.

Last year's event took place at the Expo 2020 complex, but the 23rd marathon, which runs on January 7, will start and finish on Umm Suqeim Road.

The three races Dubai Sports Council has organised include a 4km fun run, a 10km road race and the full 42.2km marathon.

The race begins close to the Dubai Police Academy, with the marathon taking in views of Jumeirah Beach Road, Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah.

The event will run about six months before the Paris Olympics and, as such, offers elite athletes the event attracts the chance to set record-breaking qualifying times. "International athletes are well aware that Dubai is a race that can put them in the global spotlight and open doors to a successful career in long-distance running,” event director Peter Connerton said.

Professional or not, the next four months or so should be spent committing to a training plan, says endurance athlete Lee Ryan.

Ryan, who is an adidas Runners coach, offers five tips to budding runners.

Time: Don't be afraid to manoeuvre a training session to make it work around your week. For example, you may need to set the alarm a little bit earlier if your day will finish late, or train in the gym on a treadmill if you are travelling.

Food: Look at food as fuel for your sessions and for your recovery. Healthy food can be delicious and full of flavour. Bin the boiled chicken breast and soggy broccoli, but remember fast food and fizzy sugary drinks are not the way to do it. It is a matter of learning how your body responds to what is going in. A well-balanced diet that includes, fruits, vegetables, carbs and protein is key.

Sleep: This a massive factor that is overlooked by many. The benefits of sleep are no secret, but people hugely underestimate how it can impact well-being. Good, deep sleep is when the body repairs, reboots and grows. Think of it as recharging your batteries. Try to find a routine to give yourself enough time to sleep.

Water: Hydration plays a big part, too. A general rule of thumb is to drink about two litres of water a day. The human body is 80 per cent water, so it needs to be well hydrated to function and maintain a healthy environment for your internal organs to do their jobs. When it comes to marathon training, look deeper within and make sure the body works better. Only then will the body change and improve.

Data: Find ways to measure what you're doing with your training. There are many wearables and apps that can help you collect data, so you can focus on improvement and have a good indication of how the body is changing. This data is great for looking back on those tough days when you feel you are not making any headway, so you can reflect back on the progress made.

Registrations for all three race categories are open now at dubaimarathon.org

Zayed Sustainability Prize

Clean water and solar homes: Zayed prize finalists present sustainability solutions

What is the Zayed Sustainability Prize?

Kibsons%20Cares

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Three ways to get a gratitude glow

By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.

During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
In the evening, take some deep breaths, notice how your skin feels, and listen for what your skin is grateful for.