Free Abu Dhabi marathon training: all the details

  DUBAI - Runners who want to get an early headstart in the upcoming ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon can participate in free training sessions starting on Monday (May 6), organisers said. The training sessions will be held on Al Hudayriat Island, with a second weekly session starting after Eid to prepare runners for the December 6 marathon. According to ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the sessions will run on Mondays from 9:30am to 10:30pm throughout Ramadan on Al Hudayriat Island. After the Eid holiday, Monday training sessions will move to 6:15am and a second weekly training session will be hosted on Wednesdays, starting June 5, at Zayed Sports City from 7:45pm to 9pm. Both training sessions will be hosted by ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon's official coach, Youssef Rochdi, a member of USA Track & Field Association (USATF) and multiple winner of USATF long distance championships. The sessions will run for six months and have been designed to focus on the preparation required to complete the 42.2km full-length marathon. The sessions will include; drills, fartlek, easy runs, intervals and long-distance runs to help runners to gradually increase their weekly distance. In September, training sessions catering for runners of all abilities will launch, offering runners participating in the 2.5km fun run, 5km and 10km races, an introduction to the running world with a specially tailored fitness programme. Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council said: "In the lead up to the second ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon we are devoted to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in the Capital, and to helping the members of our community prepare for reaching their goals regardless of their ability or the race they are participating in. The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon is not an event solely for elite athletes; everyone who participates is running their own race and accomplishing their own achievements." Al Awani said last year's inaugural marathon attracted 10,000 runners. Up to 15,000 runners are expected to participate this year. Runners who register before May 31 will receive a 30 percent discount and every participant will receive a free race shirt and medal.

Free weekly training sessions timetable

Mondays: Al HUDAYRIAT ISLAND May 6 to June 5: 9:30am to 10:30 pm (Ramadan timings only) June 12 to November 25: 6:15am to 7:30 am Meeting point: By kids play park – look out for our flags Facilities: Showers and toilets available Wednesdays: ZAYED SPORTS CITY June 5 to November 27: 7:45am to 9:15pm Meeting point: Entrance arch to the International Tennis Stadium – look out for our flags Facilities: Toilets available

ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon entry fees

2.5KM 'Fun Run': Dh50 (children under six take part for free) 5KM Race: Dh75 10KM Race: Dh150 42.2KM Marathon: Dh350 (podium finishers are eligible for an Age Group Prize Fund)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