The Abu Dhabi Sports Council announced on July 30, 2026, that registration has opened for the eighth edition of the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon scheduled for December 12, 2026, in a joint organisation with ADNOC. The council described the event as one of the most prominent community and international sporting occasions on the emirate’s calendar that forms part of ongoing efforts to foster a culture of physical activity and healthy living while establishing Abu Dhabi as a leading global venue for major competitions. According to the announcement the marathon builds upon its established reputation for high standards in organisation and broad community involvement that has expanded with each passing year.
Multiple race distances will be available to suit varying abilities and age groups with the full marathon covering the official 42.195 kilometres alongside separate 10-kilometre, five-kilometre and 2.5-kilometre categories aimed at families and children. The council will also stage two preparatory races to help entrants assess their conditioning with a 10-kilometre event set for Al Dhannah on October 24, 2026, followed by a 21.1-kilometre half marathon in the Al Ain region on November 7, 2026. These lead-up competitions align with the council’s approach to widening sports access across different parts of the emirate according to the announcement.
Participation figures from the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon have risen steadily since its debut according to data released by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. The first edition in 2018 drew more than 10,000 runners while the second in 2019 exceeded 16,000 entrants. The third edition held in 2021 after a COVID-19 postponement welcomed nearly 12,000 participants with subsequent years recording more than 20,000 in 2022 and approximately 25,000 in 2023.
The sixth edition staged in 2024 attracted more than 33,000 runners from over 150 nationalities and the seventh edition surpassed 37,000 participants the council’s figures show. A fan village will open its doors on December 7, 2026, to offer sporting entertainment and educational activities that create a festival environment in the days leading up to the race. The council noted that the marathon is expected to draw both professional and amateur competitors from across the globe while maintaining its focus on inclusive community engagement.
His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani the Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council stated that the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon has become one of the region’s leading annual sporting events and reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision of enhancing quality of life while promoting a culture of sport and physical activity across society. Al Awani added that the preparatory races in Al Dhannah and Al Ain support the council’s strategy to expand sports participation and reach communities throughout the emirate while assisting runners to improve their readiness and deliver peak performances. He further observed that 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 organisational expertise.
Al Awani emphasised the commitment to staging an exceptional edition that underscores the emirate’s position on the global sporting stage according to the announcement. The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon previously received Gold Label Road Race status from World Athletics which has contributed to its standing among leading international events in the Middle East. Organisers expect the 2026 edition to sustain this momentum with broad involvement from elite athletes and local residents alike.
