Set to unfold in December 2026, this highly anticipated event is poised to draw thousands of global athletes to the United Arab Emirates for an unparalleled festival of fitness and community spirit.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council has officially announced the opening of registration for the remarkable 8th edition of the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon. Scheduled to take place on December 12, 2026, this spectacular event promises to bring together elite international runners and tens of thousands of participants from various nationalities and age groups. As one of the most prominent community and international sporting events on Abu Dhabi’s sporting calendar, it aims to deliver an unforgettable experience for runners and spectators alike.
The marathon is meticulously organized as part of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s ongoing, relentless efforts to promote a widespread culture of sports and physical activity. Beyond merely hosting a race, the initiative is designed to reinforce Abu Dhabi’s well-deserved position as a premier global destination for major sporting events. The overarching goal is to support healthy lifestyles and actively encourage all community members to adopt sport as a sustainable, lifelong habit.
The event boasts a highly inclusive range of race categories perfectly tailored to suit all participants. Whether you are a seasoned elite athlete tackling the grueling 42.195-kilometer full marathon, or a casual runner opting for the 10-kilometer or 5-kilometer races, there is a distance for everyone. Furthermore, the inclusive two-and-a-half-kilometer family and children’s race brilliantly encourages participation from all segments of the community, ensuring that the sheer joy of running is accessible to every age group.
Strategic Preparatory Races to Enhance Readiness
To ensure runners are adequately prepared for the grueling main event, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council has strategically planned two distinct preparatory races. The first preparatory race is scheduled to take place in Al Dhannah on October 24, 2026, featuring a principal distance of 10 kilometers. Shortly after, the picturesque Al Ain Region will host the second preparatory race on November 7, 2026, challenging participants with a principal half-marathon distance of 21.1 kilometers. These carefully scheduled races provide participants with an ideal, structured opportunity to rigorously assess their fitness levels and significantly enhance their physical readiness ahead of the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi Marathon.
The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon is widely expected to attract a massive influx of elite professional and enthusiastic amateur runners from around the world. This is built on the event’s exceptionally strong reputation for operational excellence, fierce competition, and unprecedented community engagement, which has been meticulously established over seven previous, highly successful editions.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, the visionary Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, highlighted the profound impact of the event. He noted that the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon has evolved into one of the region’s leading annual sporting events, perfectly reflecting Abu Dhabi’s overarching vision of significantly enhancing the quality of life while aggressively promoting a vibrant culture of sport and physical activity across society.
He further noted that organizing the preparatory races in Al Dhannah and the Al Ain Region directly aligns with the council’s ambitious strategy to rapidly expand sports participation, reaching diverse communities across different areas of the emirate. By doing so, the council is actively helping runners improve their competitive readiness and achieve their absolute best performance during the main marathon.
“The event continues to attract growing numbers of participants from within the UAE and abroad year after year, thanks to Abu Dhabi’s world-class sports infrastructure and advanced organizational expertise. We are deeply committed to delivering an exceptional edition that beautifully reflects the emirate’s leading position on the global sporting map,” stated Al Awani.
A Phenomenal Legacy of Growth and the Marathon Fan Village
Since its inaugural launch in 2018, the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon has witnessed truly remarkable, exponential growth in overall participation numbers. While the first edition saw over 10,000 runners take to the streets, participation rapidly surged to over 16,000 runners during the second edition in 2019. Despite the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 third edition successfully welcomed nearly 12,000 runners under strict precautionary measures.
The momentum quickly returned, with participation exceeding 20,000 runners in 2022 and rising to approximately 25,000 enthusiastic participants in 2023. The staggering sixth edition in 2024 attracted an incredible 33,000 participants representing over 150 diverse nationalities. The seventh edition further cemented the race’s global dominance by recording an astonishing 37,000 runners, clearly reflecting the event’s rapidly growing, prestigious stature among the world’s leading road-running races.
Adding to the overwhelming excitement of race week, the incredible Marathon Fan Village will officially open its doors to the eagerly awaiting public on December 7, 2026. This marks the thrilling start of the region’s largest and most vibrant race week. The highly anticipated village will feature a massively diverse range of engaging sporting, entertainment, and educational activities. Alongside dedicated, interactive experiences specifically designed for families, vital partners, and generous sponsors, the Marathon Fan Village will successfully create a truly vibrant, unforgettable festival atmosphere in the exciting lead-up to marathon day.
