The Abu Dhabi Marathon. ARCHIVE

The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious “Gold Label Road Race” designation by World Athletics, marking a major milestone for one of the UAE’s biggest annual sporting events. The marathon, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsored by ADNOC, received the classification in recognition of its high organisational standards, strong international participation and growing reputation among the world’s leading road races. The Gold Label is one of the highest distinctions granted by World Athletics for road races worldwide. Events are assessed using strict criteria that include race organisation, athlete participation, safety standards, runner services and compliance with international technical regulations. The recognition highlights how quickly the Abu Dhabi Marathon has grown since its launch in 2018, attracting elite professional runners, amateur athletes and thousands of community participants from across the UAE and overseas. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the recognition reflects the event’s successful development and growing international standing. “The Abu Dhabi Marathon receiving the Gold Label Road Race classification represents a new achievement that reflects the event’s success in implementing the highest international organisational standards,” Al Awani said. “It also confirms the growing status the race now enjoys on the global road running calendar, in addition to its role in encouraging community members to practice sports, promote healthy lifestyles, and enhance the quality of life for all members of society.” The marathon is considered one of Abu Dhabi’s flagship sporting events and supports both elite competition and community participation by offering multiple race categories. Participants can choose from the full marathon distance of 42.195km, relay races, and shorter runs including 10km, 5km and 2.5km fun runs, making the event accessible to runners of all levels. Since its first edition, which attracted more than 10,000 runners, the event has grown significantly year after year. The 2025 edition recorded more than 37,000 participants, highlighting its rising popularity both regionally and internationally. The next ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon is scheduled for December 12, 2026 with registration already open through the official event website. The race is expected to once again take place around the Zayed Sports City and Corniche area, drawing thousands of runners and spectators to the capital. Don't miss it: 2026 ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon • Date: December 12, 2026 • Race categories: Full marathon, relay, 10km, 5km and 2.5km fun run • Location: Abu Dhabi, including Zayed Sports City and Corniche area • Registration: adnocabudhabimarathon.com
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