Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Abu Dhabi Marathon is a world-class elite event launched in 2018, attracting top international runners and a few thousand finishers on a fast desert-city course. The route passes the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque approach, the Corniche waterfront, and Yas Island connectors. December cool mornings and dead-flat terrain make it a record-eligible race in the UAE capital.
Abu Dhabi Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Abu Dhabi Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, 5 December 2026 with a 6:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 50 m of climbing on a very flat layout.
The Abu Dhabi Marathon is a flat loop that starts and finishes on the Corniche, tracing the Gulf shoreline past the Emirates Palace area and onto Yas Island roads with modern city views. Fast conditions suit quick times, and spectators cluster along the Corniche and at cheer stations around the loop.
The Abu Dhabi Marathon course is very flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
The Abu Dhabi Marathon uses open registration at abudhabimarathon.ae with no ballot or qualifying time. Sign-up for the November race typically opens in autumn and the flat Corniche course draws strong international participation. Early registration secures lower tier pricing before the field limit is reached.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Abu Dhabi.
The Dubai Marathon is one of the world's fastest elite marathons, with a tiny elite field chasing world-class times on a dead-flat desert-city course each January. Though finisher numbers are limited compared with mass-participation races, the event draws global attention for its prize money and record-eligible route along Dubai's modern highway corridors.
Next race: Sunday, 24 January 2027
The Doha Marathon by Ooredoo draws approximately 2,500 finishers each January on an urban road in Doha, Qatar. Winter timing is essential here because it turns Gulf heat into manageable marathon weather. The route passes the Corniche, skyline districts, and long smooth boulevards beside Doha Bay. The course is very flat throughout.
Next race: Sunday, 3 January 2027
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