https://emiratitimes.com/ :Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Sports Council has opened registration for the 8th edition of the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, set to take place on December 12, 2026, as the UAE capital prepares to welcome elite international athletes, amateur runners and thousands of fitness enthusiasts from around the world.

The annual event has become one of the region’s premier sporting occasions, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for major sporting events while promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging community participation in physical activity.
Participants can choose from four race categories, including the 42.195km full marathon, 10km race, 5km race, and a 2.5km family and children’s run, making the event accessible to runners of all ages and fitness levels.

As part of its preparations, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council will organize two warm-up races ahead of the main marathon. The first will be held in Al Dhannah on October 24, featuring a 10km race, while the second will take place in the Al Ain Region on November 7, offering a 21.1km half marathon. These events are designed to help participants assess their fitness and fine-tune their preparation before race day.

The marathon is expected to attract a strong field of elite professional athletes alongside thousands of recreational runners, continuing its reputation for world-class organization, competitive racing and vibrant community participation.

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon has established itself as one of the region’s leading annual sporting events and reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to enhancing quality of life through sport.

Al Awani noted that hosting the preparatory races in Al Dhannah and Al Ain aligns with the council’s strategy to expand sports participation across different regions of the emirate while providing runners with valuable opportunities to improve their readiness and performance.

Al Awani added that the marathon continues to attract increasing numbers of participants from the UAE and abroad every year, supported by Abu Dhabi’s world-class sporting infrastructure and organizational expertise. He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to delivering another exceptional edition that strengthens the emirate’s standing on the global sporting map.

Since its launch in 2018, the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon has recorded consistent growth in participation. The inaugural edition welcomed more than 10,000 runners, rising to over 16,000 participants in 2019. Following a pandemic-related postponement, the 2021 edition attracted nearly 12,000 runners, while participation exceeded 20,000 in 2022 and reached approximately 25,000 in 2023.

The event continued its rapid expansion with more than 33,000 participants from over 150 nationalities in 2024, while the seventh edition welcomed over 37,000 runners, highlighting its growing international appeal.

Adding to the excitement, the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon Fan Village will open from December 7, 2026, launching the region’s largest race week. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of sporting, entertainment and educational activities, along with dedicated experiences for families, partners and sponsors, creating a festival atmosphere ahead of marathon day.