Chala Ketema Regasa produced a strong finish to become the first Ethiopian to win the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon while Catherine Reline Amanang’ole kept Kenya’s flag flying high by taking the women’s prize on Saturday.
Regasa raced in the leading group all through the 42.2-kilometre distance before kicking for home to cross the line in 2hrs 6mins and 16secs, just missing out in bettering his personal best of 2:06.11.
His timing was the fourth best in six editions of the Abu Dhabi Marathon behind the record 2:04.40 set by Kenyan Reuban Kipyego set in 2019.
Ibrahim Bouh of Djibouti was 17 seconds behind Regasa in second and joining them on the podium was Kenyan Wilfred Kigen, who crossed the finishing line in 2:06.47 in third.
“Everything panned out well for me today. The course and the weather were fantastic, and of course the result was, like, over the moon for me,” Regasa said of his win.
“I’m also very proud and honoured to become the first from Ethiopia to win the Abu Dhabi Marathon. I’m going to take a small break and then continue with my training and bring more glory to my country.”
Kenya has produced a winner in either the men or women’s race in every edition of the Abu Dhabi Marathon and Amanang’ole kept that tradition going with her victory in the women’s race.
The Kenyan, who specialises in half marathons, clocked 2:20.34, the third best time of the Abu Dhabi Marathon. Dolshi Tesfu, the two-time Olympian for Eritrea and Kenya's Aurelia Kiptui took second and third spots.
“I’m thrilled at the result, it being my first marathon. I have been training for this but I wasn’t so sure that I would win,” Amanang’ole said.
“I found the flat course and cooler weather very good for the run. My pacemakers in the race did a good job to keep me going until the end. It may be my first marathon but I’m quite well versed with the run.
“I’m not sure of what my plans of switching from half marathons to full marathons and do both. I need to discuss with my manager and coach and make that decision.”
The races for both men and women panned out very similarly with the groups staying closely in the lead for about three-quarters of the distance and then the winners kicking off to win their races quite comfortably at the end.
The men’s race saw 11 in the leading group until the halfway mark. It reduced to five and before Kigen, Bouh and Regaza turned into a three-way battle between them.
Amanang’ole was out on her own passing the halfway stage and strolled on with her two pacemakers after Tesfu’s challenge weakened.
The event that included the marathon relay, 10km, 5km and 2.5km runs, and the 10km wheelchair race, drew a record of more than 33,000 participants.
Results:
Men’s elite:
1. Chala Ketema Regasa (ETH) 2:06.16
2. Ibrahim Bouh (DJI) 2:06.33
3. Wilfred Kigen (KEN) 2:06.47
Women’s elite:
1. Catherine Reline Amanang’ole (KEN) 2:20.34
2. Dolshi Tesfu (ERI) 2:23.47
3. Aurelia Kiptui (KEN) 2:26.28
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
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
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