The Saudi capital, Riyadh, has announced its full readiness to host the fifth edition of the Riyadh International Marathon 2026, the premier sporting event organized by the Saudi Sports for All Federation. The marathon is scheduled to take place at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University from January 28 to 31, 2026. This edition will feature the inaugural Riyadh Marathon Festival, adding a festive and entertaining element to the sporting competition.
The organization of this major event comes within the context of the growing sports movement in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the objectives of "Vision 2030" and the "Quality of Life Program," which aim to increase sports participation rates in society, promote public health, and make sports a daily lifestyle. In its previous editions, the marathon has successfully established Riyadh's position as a global sports destination, attracting thousands of professional and amateur runners from around the world.
The accompanying festival kicks off on Wednesday, January 28, through a fruitful collaboration between the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Arabian Athletics Federation. The festival will feature a diverse range of entertainment activities for the whole family, including live musical performances, theatrical shows, and heritage displays reflecting Saudi culture, as well as interactive events within the race village, with the participation of local and international groups to enhance the visitor experience.
As for the main competitions, the events conclude with marathon races, all starting on campus. These include four routes to suit different abilities: the full marathon (42 km), the half marathon (21 km), the 10 km race, and a 5 km race for families and beginners. While the shorter races take place within the university, the 21 km and 42 km routes extend along major roads in northern Riyadh, such as Prince Badr bin Abdulmohsen Road, Anas bin Malik Road, and Thumamah Road, before returning to the university campus for the finish line.
On the organizational and logistical level, the organizing committee called on participants and the public to take advantage of the Riyadh Metro network to reach the event site smoothly, noting that Princess Noura University Station (PNU 2) is the closest to the race village, in order to avoid traffic congestion resulting from partial or total closures of the roads surrounding the race track, which will be gradually reopened as soon as the competitions end.
This event holds significant international importance, as the Riyadh Marathon continues to maintain its World Athletics accreditation as an Elite Road Race for the fifth consecutive year. This global ranking not only enhances the race's reputation but also contributes to boosting sports tourism and supporting the local economy, confirming the Kingdom's ability to host major events according to the highest international standards.
