The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 takes place on Saturday 12 December 2026, with the marathon starting at 6:00 AM on the Corniche in front of ADNOC HQ. Registration is open now for the eighth edition. Races: the 42.195 km marathon, a two-person relay, 10 km, 5 km and a 2.5 km fun run, with early-bird entry from AED 52. Bib collection runs 7–11 December at the Race Village; there is no race-day collection.
ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday 12 December 2026 |
| Start | Corniche, Abu Dhabi — in front of ADNOC HQ; marathon 6:00 AM |
| Finish | ADNOC Campus / South Plaza, Corniche |
| Races | 42.195 km marathon, relay (teams of 2), 10 km, 5 km, 2.5 km fun run |
| Registration | Open now at adnocabudhabimarathon.com; first come, first served |
| Entry fees | Early-bird from AED 52; standard fees once early-bird ends |
| Bib collection | Race Village, 7–11 December, 3:00–10:00 PM; none on race day |
| Fan Village | Opens 7 December 2026 at ADNOC HQ Park, Corniche |
| Organiser | Abu Dhabi Sports Council, title sponsor ADNOC; 8th edition |
Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 Date
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 date is Saturday 12 December 2026. It is the eighth edition of a race that debuted in 2018 with just over 10,000 runners and grew to more than 37,000 in 2025. The Marathon Village at ADNOC HQ Park opens on 7 December.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 Timings and Schedule
Abu Dhabi Marathon timings are simple: elites go at 5:55 AM, the mass marathon at 6:00 AM, and shorter races later in the morning. The Abu Dhabi Marathon schedule below is the published 2026 plan — re-check official communications in race week.
| Race | Start time |
|---|---|
| Elite marathon | 5:55 AM |
| Marathon and marathon relay | 6:00 AM |
| 10 km | 6:30 AM |
| 2.5 km fun run | 8:30 AM (waves) |
| 5 km | 9:45 AM (waves) |
Abu Dhabi Marathon 10K Start Time and 5K Start Time
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 10K start time is 6:30 AM, and the Abu Dhabi Marathon 5K start time is 9:45 AM in waves. The Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 start time for the main race is 6:00 AM. Your wave, if any, is printed on your bib.
The Races
There is a distance for every ability. All five races run on Saturday 12 December 2026.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 42km: The Full Marathon
The Abu Dhabi Marathon full marathon is 42.195 km on a flat, fast course with about 65 metres of elevation gain — a personal-best course and a Boston qualifier. Start 6:00 AM (elites 5:55 AM); ages 18 and over.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Relay: Relay Teams of 2
The Abu Dhabi Marathon relay splits the distance between two runners — roughly 22 km for the first leg and 20 km for the second. Abu Dhabi Marathon relay teams of 2 start with the marathon field at 6:00 AM.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 10K
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 10K is the biggest mass-participation race of the day. It starts at 6:30 AM, is open to ages 10 and over, and runs a flat course along the Corniche.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 5K
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 5K is the friendly middle distance: competitive enough for a PB, relaxed enough for a first race. It starts at 9:45 AM in waves; ages 6 and over.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 2.5K Fun Run: The Family Run
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 2.5K fun run is the family race — no age limit, no pressure. It starts at 8:30 AM in waves, and the Abu Dhabi Marathon family run finishes with the same medal moment as the longer races.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Wheelchair Race
There is a wheelchair category in the marathon, with its own prize money — wheelchair winners took home USD 3,150 each in 2025. People of Determination have a dedicated 2.5 km category (see below).
Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 Route and Course
The 2026 course is a new coastal route starting and finishing on the Corniche. The Abu Dhabi Marathon course is flat and fast throughout — a big reason elite fields keep returning.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Route Map
The official route is published on adnocabudhabimarathon.com. The marathon is a single loop; the 10 km and 5 km use shorter sections of the same course, and the 2.5 km stays around the Corniche and Race Village. Download the map before race week.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Start Point and Start Location
The Abu Dhabi Marathon start point is the Corniche, in front of ADNOC HQ. The Abu Dhabi Marathon start location can vary slightly by race category, so use the exact location printed on your bib.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Finish Line
The Abu Dhabi Marathon finish line is at the ADNOC Campus / South Plaza on the Corniche, a short distance from the start. Finishers collect their medal in the finish area.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Landmarks
The route passes, in order: ADNOC HQ, the Founder’s Memorial, Zayed Sports City (relay changeover), the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Wahat Al Karama, Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Qasr Al Hosn, the World Trade Center Abu Dhabi and Etihad Towers, before returning to ADNOC HQ.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 10K Route
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 10K route follows the Corniche and the city-centre section of the marathon course, passing Qasr Al Hosn and the World Trade Center area before finishing at the ADNOC Campus.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 5K Route
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 5K route is a short, flat loop around the Corniche and Race Village area, designed for families and first-time racers. It shares the marathon finish.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Relay Route and Relay Changeover Point
The Abu Dhabi Marathon relay route is the full marathon course split in two. The relay changeover point is at Zayed Sports City: the first runner covers roughly 22 km, hands over, and the second runner covers the remaining roughly 20 km to the finish.
ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 Registration
ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon registration 2026 is open now on adnocabudhabimarathon.com. Entries are first come, first served — the 10 km usually sells out first.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 Registration — the Essentials
There is no fixed closing date: the Abu Dhabi Marathon registration deadline has not been announced, and entries stay open until each race sells out. Do not wait for a last-date announcement — there may not be one.
How to Register for Abu Dhabi Marathon
- Go to adnocabudhabimarathon.com and choose your race.
- Create your runner profile with your name, date of birth and contact details.
- Pick your t-shirt size and answer the medical and emergency-contact questions.
- Pay online by card. Keep your confirmation email for bib collection.
- Choose your race-pack option and watch for your wave assignment email.
Relay teams register both runners together. If a race shows as sold out, keep checking — extra places are sometimes released, but do not count on it.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 Registration Fee
Early-bird prices are substantially cheaper than standard prices, but the early-bird window has no published end date. As of 6 November 2026 the early-bird prices below were still listed as current — confirm the price at checkout on adnocabudhabimarathon.com before you register.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Entry Fee and Price
| Race | Early-bird price | Standard price |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 km fun run | AED 52 | AED 65 |
| 5 km | AED 72 | AED 90 |
| 10 km | AED 137.60 | AED 172 |
| Marathon (42.195 km) | AED 305.60 | AED 382 |
| Marathon relay (per team) | Not published for 2026 | AED 592 (2025 price) |
The Abu Dhabi Marathon price depends on your race and on whether early-bird is still live. Early-bird prices are as reported in August 2026; standard prices are the full prices they are discounted from. No 2026 relay price has been published — do not rely on the 2025 relay price of AED 592 as a 2026 figure. Prices exclude VAT where applicable.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Bib Collection
Do not leave this to race morning — there is no collection on race day, and without your bib and timing chip you cannot start.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Race Pack Collection
Abu Dhabi Marathon race pack collection takes place at the Race Village from 7 to 11 December 2026, between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM. Bring your registration confirmation and photo ID. Race-pack delivery is also offered for eligible participants.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Race Village
The Abu Dhabi Marathon Race Village is at ADNOC HQ Park on the Corniche, next to the start and finish. It hosts bib collection, sponsor areas, entertainment, fitness classes, kids’ activities, live music, food and refreshments, and participant services.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Race Village Timings
For bib collection, the Race Village is open 3:00–10:00 PM from 7 to 11 December. General village hours can vary by day — check the daily programme on the official site in race week.
Abu Dhabi Marathon T-Shirt, Medal and What Is Included
Every runner gets a Nike technical t-shirt, race bib with timing chip, race bag, finisher’s medal, official timing with split times, digital results, a downloadable certificate, post-race photos, refreshments, medical support and Race Village access. The Abu Dhabi Marathon medal is only for finishers.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Fan Village
The Fan Village turns a race into a week-long festival, and it is free to visit whether you are running or supporting someone who is.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Fan Village 2026 Dates
The Abu Dhabi Marathon Fan Village 2026 dates run from 7 December 2026 through race day, 12 December, at ADNOC HQ Park on the Corniche. Expect sponsor activations, fitness classes, kids’ activities, live music, food stalls and family entertainment.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Race Week
Abu Dhabi Marathon Race Week is billed as the region’s largest race week. It opens with the Fan Village on 7 December and ends with race day on 12 December. The best spectator days are the final two.
Who Can Take Part: Abu Dhabi Marathon Age Limit
Almost anyone can take part — there is a race for every age and ability, including categories for wheelchair athletes and People of Determination.
Minimum Age for Abu Dhabi Marathon
The minimum age for Abu Dhabi Marathon races is: marathon 18 and over, 10 km 10 and over, 5 km 6 and over, and the 2.5 km fun run has no minimum age. Ages are calculated as of race day, 12 December 2026.
Abu Dhabi Marathon People of Determination
The Abu Dhabi Marathon People of Determination category runs over 2.5 km, organised with Special Olympics involvement, and is open to athletes of determination and their companions. Wheelchair athletes compete in the marathon distance.
How to Get to Abu Dhabi Marathon from Dubai
Most of the field travels in from Dubai. The marathon starts at 6:00 AM, which means leaving Dubai in the middle of the night.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Shuttle Bus
The Abu Dhabi Marathon shuttle bus is the easiest option: the organiser runs a shuttle for registered runners from Ibn Battuta Metro Station in Dubai in the early hours of race morning. Book it when you register, and leave Dubai by 3:30 AM at the latest. Consider staying overnight in Abu Dhabi on 11 December — our Abu Dhabi day trip from Dubai guide covers where to stay, and our day trips from Dubai guide has more weekend ideas.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Road Closures
Expect road closures across the Corniche and the main highways along the course on race morning, 12 December. Closures begin well before the 6:00 AM start and lift progressively as the last runners pass. The exact list is published closer to race day.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Parking
Parking near the start is limited and the Corniche roads are closed, so driving to the start line is not a good plan. Use the organiser shuttle, a taxi to a drop-off point outside the closure zone, or the Park and Ride arrangements announced in race week.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Cut Off Time
The Abu Dhabi Marathon cut off time is expected to be six hours for the full marathon, in line with previous editions — but the 2026 cut-off has not been separately confirmed, so treat six hours as expected and check your race instructions.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Weather and What to Wear
Abu Dhabi Marathon weather in mid-December is the best of the year for running: expect a cool, dry start in the high teens to low 20s Celsius at 6:00 AM, warming up after sunrise — treat that as expected, not a forecast. For what to wear, a light, breathable kit is right; bring a light layer for the start-line wait, a cap and sunscreen for the later miles, and shoes you have already run long distances in.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Prize Money
Prize money draws the elite field, and Abu Dhabi pays well. The 2026 structure has not been announced yet, so the figures below are the confirmed 2025 amounts — treat any 2026 total as expected until the organiser publishes it.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 Prize Money
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 2026 prize money has not been announced yet (expected: a total pool above USD 300,000, in line with 2025, with USD 50,000 each for the men’s and women’s champions). Wheelchair winners received USD 3,150 each in 2025.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Winners and Results
Abu Dhabi Marathon results are published live on race day through the official site and timing partner, with a downloadable certificate for every finisher. Full 2026 results will be added here after the race.
Abu Dhabi Marathon 2025 Results and 2025 Winners
The Abu Dhabi Marathon 2025 winners were Kaan Kigen Özbilen of Türkiye in 2:07:27 and Catherine Reline Amanangole of Kenya in 2:21:17 — her second consecutive title. The wheelchair race was won by Laurent Lepolite of France in 1:59:00. More than 37,000 runners took part in 2025.
Abu Dhabi Marathon Elite Runners
Abu Dhabi Marathon elite runners are invited by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and start at 5:55 AM, five minutes before the mass field. The 2026 elite start list has not been published yet.
Abu Dhabi Marathon vs Dubai Marathon
Dubai (January) is the older, bigger World Athletics Gold Label race with a deeper elite field; Abu Dhabi (December) is a month earlier, smaller, and far more family-friendly thanks to the 2.5 km fun run and the week-long Fan Village. Many UAE runners do both. Our Dubai Run guide covers the Dubai side, and the Dubai Fitness Challenge builds base fitness for either race.
A Brief History of the Abu Dhabi Marathon
The race debuted in 2018 with just over 10,000 runners and has grown every year since: 33,000-plus from more than 150 nationalities in 2024, then more than 37,000 in 2025. ADNOC has been title sponsor throughout, and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council has used the race to anchor a wider running calendar — including the Al Ain Half Marathon and the Al Dhannah Flat Out.
Warm-Up Races: Al Ain Half Marathon 2026 and Al Dhannah Flat Out 2026
The organiser runs two official warm-up races before the main event. The Al Dhannah Flat Out 2026 took place on 24 October 2026 at Ruwais Park 2 in Al Dhannah, with 10 km, 5 km and 2.5 km races. The Al Ain Half Marathon 2026 takes place on 7 November 2026 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, with a 21.1 km half marathon plus 10 km, 5 km and 2.5 km races.
More December Events in the UAE
Race weekend lands in the busiest month of the UAE events calendar. The Dubai Sevens 2026 runs 27–29 November, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 closes the F1 season in early December, the Dubai Shopping Festival 2026 opens in December, and the city counts down to New Year Eve Dubai 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: 6 November 2026