Marathons in United Arab Emirates 2026: Routes & Dates

United Arab Emirates is home to 2 marathons in our database, spread across cities including Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Abu Dhabi Marathon is the largest race in the lineup, typically drawing around 3,500 finishers, while the full spread offers everything from fast urban courses to scenic regional events.

Browse the races below for course maps, elevation profiles, typical weather, and practical race-day detail to help you choose your next start line.

Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi Marathon

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.

Next race: Saturday, 5 December 2026

DubaiUnited Arab Emirates

Dubai Marathon

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, 17 January 2027