UAE & Middle East Marathon Calendar 2026-27: Upcoming Events

For the autumn 2026 season, the headline races are the Petra Desert Marathon (5 September 2026), Amman International Marathon (2 October 2026), and then a packed late-November to December block: the Dhofar Marathon in Salalah (Oman’s first-ever, November), Gulf Bank 642 Marathon Kuwait (28 November), Sharm El Sheikh Marathon (28 November), Beirut International Marathon (29 November), the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon (12 December, registration open), and the Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon at Giza (11–12 December). The big 2027-season openers are the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo (15 January), Dubai Marathon (17 January) and Riyadh Marathon (end of January).

The UAE — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah — remains one of the safest destinations in the world for international travellers and runners. The country is geographically and politically separate from the regional conflicts in Gaza and elsewhere. All major UAE marathons including the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon and the 2027 Dubai Marathon are proceeding as scheduled. Always check your government’s official travel advisory before booking, but the UAE itself has not seen security disruption to sporting events.

The Dubai Marathon 2027 is confirmed by organisers for Sunday 17 January 2027, starting and finishing on Umm Suqeim Road opposite Madinat Jumeirah. It is a World Athletics Gold Label race and is widely regarded as the fastest marathon in the Middle East, with a flat, fast course ideal for a personal best or Boston Qualifier. For everything on the course, registration, weather and travel from India, see our full Dubai Marathon 2027 guide.

Yes. Saudi Arabia launched its tourist e-visa in 2019 and Indian passport holders are eligible to apply online. For major events like the Riyadh Marathon, organisers typically provide visa support for registered runners. Women can freely participate — Saudi Arabia has actively opened its major running events to female and international runners since 2018. The Riyadh Marathon 2026 drew more than 50,000 runners from 134 countries in its 5th edition, making it one of the fastest-growing marathons in the world. Always verify current visa rules at the official Saudi e-visa portal before registering.

Indian passport holders require a visa to enter the UAE. A UAE tourist visa is easy to obtain online through the ICA Smart Services portal or via airlines like Emirates and Air India. A 30-day single-entry visa typically costs around AED 300–400 (approximately ₹7,000–9,500). Many Indian runners also hold UAE residency visas, making entry seamless. Apply at least 2–3 weeks before your race date.

The Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (February) is widely considered the fastest half marathon in the world, regularly producing course records on its flat Al Marjan Island route. For the full marathon, the Dubai Marathon (January) is the UAE’s gold standard — flat course, cool January weather, an elite international field and world-class organisation. Both races are held when Gulf temperatures are at their most runner-friendly, typically 14–22°C at race start.

The Gulf road-racing season runs from late October through February, peaking in January and February when temperatures sit between 14–22°C at race start. By April, temperatures climb past 30°C and full marathon racing becomes very challenging. Two notable exceptions run in the summer-to-autumn shoulder: Oman’s Dhofar/Salalah races take advantage of the cool Khareef monsoon (June–September), and Jordan’s Petra Desert Marathon goes in early September. If you are travelling from India for a UAE race, January is the ideal window to target.

The Wadi Bih Trail Run is one of the UAE’s most iconic and demanding trail races, held near Dibba in the Hajar Mountains on the UAE–Oman border. The flagship distance is 72 km with roughly 2,000m of elevation gain — a brutal but breathtaking route through rocky mountain passes, dry riverbeds and ancient villages. Shorter distances (50K, 30K, 20K) make it accessible to a wider range of runners. It is widely considered the best trail running experience in the Gulf, attracting international runners who want serious mountain terrain without flying to Europe.

Jordan is considered one of the most stable and runner-friendly countries in the Middle East and has continued to host all its major events without interruption. Tourist areas including Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba and the Dead Sea have not been affected by regional conflict. Multiple governments including India maintain active travel advisories — check the MEA’s advisory before finalising any travel plans to Jordan.

Egypt has become a strong running destination. The Sharm El Sheikh Marathon (28 November 2026) runs along the Red Sea coast with ideal winter temperatures. The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon (11–12 December 2026) offers what may be the most iconic running backdrop in the world — the Great Pyramids of Giza — and the 10K and 21K are AIMS-certified. The Luxor Marathon (8 January 2027) takes runners past ancient temples, and the Saqqara Half Marathon (February 2027) finishes beneath the 4,700-year-old Step Pyramid. Visa on arrival is available for Indian passport holders at major Egyptian airports.

Where an organiser has not yet confirmed a 2026–27 date or opened registration, we link to a “Find on Google” search so you can reach the latest official announcement the moment it goes live, rather than a dead page. Races with a confirmed date and open entries link directly to the organiser’s registration. We re-check every event against official sources and refresh this page regularly — bookmark it and check back as the season fills in.