ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon to Start from the Capital’s Corniche in Its Eighth Edition

The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon is gearing up for its eighth edition, scheduled to take place on 12 December 2026, starting from the Abu Dhabi Corniche and bringing together elite international runners and thousands of participants of various nationalities and age groups.

The starting point at Abu Dhabi Corniche will be one of the key highlights of this year’s edition, offering runners a scenic coastal setting and an atmosphere that combines sporting competition with community participation, as part of one of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent annual sporting events.

The eighth edition will also feature the Abu Dhabi Marathon Village, located at ADNOC Headquarters Park along the Abu Dhabi Corniche. The village will serve as a central hub for participants and spectators throughout the event week, offering a wide range of sporting, entertainment, and educational activities, alongside dedicated experiences for families, partners, and sponsors.

The Marathon Village is scheduled to open on 7 December 2026, five days ahead of the main race, providing participants and spectators with an opportunity to engage with the event and enjoy its vibrant atmosphere in the lead-up to race day on 12 December.

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, emphasised that starting the marathon from Abu Dhabi Corniche adds a distinctive dimension to the eighth edition.

He said: “Abu Dhabi Corniche is one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks and destinations. Through this new starting point, we look forward to delivering an exceptional experience for runners and spectators, reflecting the remarkable progress the event has achieved over seven successful editions and keeping pace with the continued growth in participation from within the UAE and abroad.”

He added: “The Marathon Village will further enhance the overall event experience, transforming it into a comprehensive week-long sporting and community celebration. By bringing together participants, spectators, families, and partners ahead of race day, the village will reinforce the marathon’s position as an event that extends beyond sporting competition to engage all segments of society.”

The marathon is organised as part of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s ongoing efforts to promote a culture of sports participation and physical activity, strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading global destination for major sporting events, and encourage healthy lifestyles by inspiring community members to embrace sport as a sustainable way of life.

The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon will feature a variety of races catering to different age groups and fitness levels, including the full marathon over 42.195 kilometres, a two-person marathon relay, a 10-kilometre race, a 5-kilometre race, and a 2.5-kilometre race dedicated to families and children, ensuring opportunities for participants of all abilities to take part.

As part of preparations for the eighth edition, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council will organise two preparatory races. The first will take place in Al Dhannah City on 24 October, featuring a main distance of 10 kilometres, while the second will be held in Al Ain on 7 November, featuring a half-marathon distance of 21.1 kilometres. Both events aim to enhance participants’ readiness ahead of the main marathon.

Since its launch in 2018, the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon has continued to record steady growth, culminating in its seventh edition, which attracted more than 37,000 runners. This milestone reflects the increasing popularity of the event and its established position on Abu Dhabi’s sporting and community events calendar.