Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the Middle East’s most exciting destinations for runners. From the Riyadh Marathon — which drew more than 50,000 participants representing 134 nationalities in January 2026 — to ultra-distance trail races through AlUla’s ancient canyons, the Kingdom now hosts a year-round calendar of races for every ability level. Whether you are planning a trip to Saudi Arabia around a specific race or simply want to add a morning run to your holiday itinerary, this guide covers every major running event, registration details, practical tips, and the running communities that make the Kingdom’s roads and trails worth lacing up for.

The Riyadh Marathon

The Riyadh Marathon is the Kingdom’s flagship road running event and the largest mass-participation race in the Middle East. Organised by the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) with support from the Ministry of Sport, the marathon has grown at extraordinary speed since its inaugural edition in March 2022, when 10,000 runners took part. By 2024 the number had reached 20,000, and the fifth edition in January 2026 attracted more than 50,000 runners from 134 countries — making it one of the fastest-growing marathons on the planet.

Race Distances and Fees

Route and Logistics

All races start and finish at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in northern Riyadh. The marathon course is accredited by the Asian Athletics Association. Bib collection takes place over the three days before race day at the university, and the Riyadh Marathon Village at Mayadeen, Diriyah runs from the Wednesday through Saturday with entertainment, exhibitions, and an SFA Expo. If you are visiting Riyadh for the marathon, plan to arrive by Thursday to collect your bib and explore the festival village.

Results — 2026 Highlights

The men’s full marathon was won by Ethiopian Abebaw Muniye in 2:09:31, followed by compatriots Asefa Tefera (2:09:44) and Tolcha Tefera (2:10:09). In the women’s race, Ethiopian Kena Girma finished first in 2:25:56, with Aberash Demissie (2:27:15) and Nigist Muluneh (2:29:02) completing the podium. Over 37 percent of participants were women — a figure that underlines the dramatic growth of female running in the Kingdom.

Registration tip: The 2026 race sold out across all categories. Registration for the Riyadh Marathon typically opens on riyadhmarathon.org around September–October for the following January. Set a calendar reminder — places fill fast, especially the full marathon.

AlUla Trail Race

If road running is not your thing, the AlUla Trail Race is the event to build a trip around. Held each January against the backdrop of AlUla’s sandstone canyons, ancient tombs, and volcanic plateaus, this is one of the most visually spectacular trail races in the world. The 2026 edition took place on 22–23 January, organised by Race Arabia in partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla.

Distances and Categories

Registration and Race Packs

Entry fees start at SAR 100 (~$26) for adults and SAR 50 (~$13) for children. Every participant receives an official race pack including a tote bag, buff, race T-shirt, timing chip, and bib number. Race packs must be collected in person at the Race Village in the Old Town Amphitheatre on the day before the race (10:00–22:00). Registration opens on experiencealula.com and through racearabia.sa several months before the event.

Travel tip: Combine the AlUla Trail Race with a visit to Hegra (Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Dadan archaeological site. The race takes place during AlUla’s winter arts season, so there is plenty to fill a long weekend. See our full AlUla Travel Guide for accommodation and transport advice.

Red Sea Marathon — Jeddah

Launched in January 2025 by the Saudi Arabian Athletic Federation and Sports Hub, the Red Sea Marathon brought professional marathon racing to Jeddah for the first time. The course follows the Jeddah Corniche, a spectacular coastal road along the Red Sea that meets International Marathon Association standards.

Race Details

• Full Marathon (42.2 km) — for professional and amateur runners
• Half Marathon (21.1 km) — for experienced recreational runners
• 10 km — open to ages 17+
• 4 km — for beginners and children

The inaugural edition was designed for 10,000 participants. The federation has stated its intention to make this an annual event, so expect the Red Sea Marathon to return each January. Running along the Corniche at dawn — with the Red Sea on one side and Jeddah’s skyline on the other — makes this one of the most scenic road races in the Gulf.

AlUla Desert Blaze

For runners who consider a January race too comfortable, the AlUla Desert Blaze is the Kingdom’s most punishing event. Held in August when temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F), this race has run annually since 2023 and has quickly earned a reputation as one of the hottest organised races in the world.

Distances and Format

• Full Marathon (42.2 km) — 18+
• Half Marathon (21.1 km) — 18+
• 10 km — 16+
• 5 km — 16+

The course starts from Hegra and winds through AlUla’s desert landscape. Aid stations are positioned every five kilometres with water, ice buckets, hydration drinks, gels, fruit, and snacks. A mandatory pre-race briefing takes place the evening before at AlFursan Village. The 2025 edition ran on 15–16 August.

Heat warning: This is a serious endurance event in extreme conditions. Organisers provide comprehensive medical support, but participants must have genuine hot-weather running experience. Arrive at least two days early to begin heat acclimatisation.

AlUla Half Marathon and Wellness Festival

The AlUla Wellness Festival runs each October–November and includes a half marathon as its headline running event. The inaugural AlUla Half Marathon took place on Saturday, 25 October 2025 as an official lead-up event to the 2026 Riyadh Marathon.

Distances

• 21.1 km (Half Marathon)
• 10 km
• 5 km
• 3 km
• 1.5 km (Children’s race)

The course threads through AlUla’s heritage areas, offering a unique backdrop that no other half marathon can match. The broader Wellness Festival programme includes 78 yoga sessions, Les Mills fitness classes at landmarks like Elephant Rock and Maraya, and the AlUla Duathlon (Olympic, Sprint, and Kids’ distances). Bookings and registration are handled through experiencealula.com.

Sharqiyah International Race — Al Khobar

The Sharqiyah International Race is Saudi Arabia’s longest-running athletics event, with its roots stretching back over 25 years. The 27th edition — and third under international accreditation — was held on Saturday, 13 December 2025 along the Al Khobar Corniche in the Eastern Province.

Distances

• Half Marathon (21.1 km)
• 5 km
• One Mile

The race is organised in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports, the Saudi Athletics Federation, and World Athletics, giving it the highest level of certification available. Results are published on worldathletics.org. For runners based in or visiting the Eastern Province, this is the marquee event.

One Run — The Global Race in Riyadh

One Run is a worldwide event that unites runners in over 100 cities on the same day. Riyadh has hosted the Saudi edition since 2024, with the 2025 race held on Saturday, 24 May at Wadi Namar — a natural valley on the southern edge of the capital where palm-lined walkways meet elevated ridge trails.

Race Details

Race kits — including bib, event T-shirt, and timing chip — are collected from the ASICS Store at Al Nakheel Mall on the Thursday and Friday before the event. The early start times reflect the late-May heat; by 5 AM, conditions are still manageable for distance running. Hydration zones, medical support, and photo points line the course.

Race Calendar at a Glance

Here is a month-by-month overview of the Kingdom’s major running events. Exact dates shift slightly each year — always confirm via the organiser’s website before booking travel.

For the latest additions and community events, check the Saudi Arabia events calendar 2026.

Where to Run Between Races

Not every run in Saudi Arabia needs a bib number. Here are the best places for a training run or a casual jog while travelling.

Riyadh

• King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) loop — a well-lit 3.4 km brick-and-palm path circling the hospital campus. Popular with night runners.
• Wadi Hanifa — a restored valley south of the city with a long paved trail following the wadi. Shade is limited but the scenery is striking.
• Riyadh Boulevard — wide, flat paths through the entertainment district. Best after sunset when temperatures drop and the area comes alive.

Jeddah

• Jeddah Corniche — the classic 11 km waterfront promenade along the Red Sea. A wide, palm-lined path runs from Al Rahma Mosque south to City Park. The Corniche is also the route for the Red Sea Marathon.
• Jeddah Waterfront — a 730,000 sq m development with designated running and cycling tracks. Well-maintained and scenic.

Eastern Province

• Al Khobar Corniche — a flat, coastal path that doubles as the Sharqiyah International Race course. Sunrise runs here are exceptional.
• Half Moon Bay — packed sand along the beach makes for a firm, natural running surface. Best in winter.

Running Clubs and Communities

Saudi Arabia’s running scene has exploded in recent years, and joining a local running club is the best way to find training partners, discover routes, and get tips on upcoming events.

Major Clubs

• Riyadh Urban Runners (RUR) — founded in 2016, RUR is the capital’s largest community running group. Open to all levels, genders, and nationalities. Find them on Instagram at @rur_sa.
• R7 Run Club — established in 2018 in the Wadi Hanifa area, R7 has over 1,000 active members. Group runs happen early mornings, evenings, and Friday mornings.
• Jeddah Running Community — regular group runs along the Corniche, welcoming to visitors and expats.
• Adidas Runners — the global brand’s Saudi chapter hosts coached sessions in Riyadh.

Most clubs are free to join. Simply show up to a scheduled run — you will find session times posted on Instagram. Clubs are typically welcoming to visitors and tourists joining for a single session.

Women’s Running in Saudi Arabia

The growth of women’s running in the Kingdom is one of the most remarkable sports stories of the Vision 2030 era. Female participation in the Riyadh Marathon has climbed from 3,297 women in 2022 to 7,295 in 2024 — and over 37 percent of participants in the 2026 edition were women.

The Saudi Sports for All Federation actively promotes women’s participation through its Move with Us initiative, which designs recreational sports programmes tailored for women, men, youth, and people with disabilities. Since 2017, physical education has been part of the public school curriculum for girls, and female participation in sports has increased by nearly 150 percent since 2015, according to the Ministry of Sports.

All of the events listed in this guide are open to both men and women. Running clubs like RUR and R7 are explicitly inclusive. Women runners should note that while race attire follows standard athletic norms, casual running in public areas is best done in modest sportswear — shorts to the knee and a sleeved top are the cultural norm for both genders.

Practical Tips for Running in Saudi Arabia

Climate and Timing

The single most important factor for any runner visiting Saudi Arabia is the heat. In Riyadh, summer daytime temperatures average 44°C (111°F), with overnight lows of 28°C. In Jeddah, humidity compounds the problem — temperatures of 38–40°C feel far worse with coastal moisture.

The racing calendar is concentrated in the October–February window for good reason. If you are running outside of organised events, stick to these guidelines:

• October–March: Early morning or late afternoon runs are comfortable. Riyadh can be pleasantly cool (15–25°C), especially in December–January.
• April–May: Run before 7 AM or after 7 PM. Carry water.
• June–September: Outdoor running is inadvisable during daylight hours. If you must train, run before 5 AM. Many runners switch to treadmills in summer.

Hydration

Drink 2–3 litres of water per day as a baseline — more on run days. Start hydrating the day before a race, not the morning of. Electrolyte drinks are widely available at pharmacies and supermarkets.

What to Wear

Lightweight, moisture-wicking technical fabrics are essential. A cap or visor and sunglasses are strongly recommended for any outdoor run. Apply sunscreen even for early morning starts — the sun rises fast and reflects off sand and concrete.

For cultural norms: men should wear a T-shirt (not a vest/singlet) and knee-length shorts when running in public areas outside race courses. Women are welcome to run in standard athletic wear. During organised races, normal race attire is fine.

Getting to Saudi Arabia

Most visitors enter on a tourist e-visa, which can be obtained online in minutes. Citizens of over 60 countries are eligible. The e-visa costs SAR 535 (~$142) including insurance and is valid for one year with multiple entries of up to 90 days each.

Race Registration

Key platforms for finding and registering for races in Saudi Arabia:

• racearabia.sa — the primary organiser for trail and community events, including AlUla races and One Run
• riyadhmarathon.org — official registration for the Riyadh Marathon
• experiencealula.com — AlUla Trail Race, Desert Blaze, and Half Marathon registrations
• sportsforall.com.sa — the Saudi Sports for All Federation’s portal, covering SFA-organised events
• runningrace.com.sa — Sharqiyah International Race registration

Combining Races with Travel

Saudi Arabia’s race calendar is perfectly timed for a winter travel itinerary. Here are three sample trip ideas:

The January Double (10–14 days)

Fly into Riyadh for the Riyadh Marathon (late January), then travel to AlUla for the Trail Race (mid-to-late January — check exact dates as they sometimes overlap or fall in consecutive weeks). Between races, explore Riyadh’s historic Diriyah district and spend a day at the Boulevard entertainment zone. In AlUla, visit Hegra, Elephant Rock, and the Dadan archaeological site.

The Jeddah Coast Run (5–7 days)

Time your visit around the Red Sea Marathon in January. After the race, spend a few days exploring Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed Al Balad historic district, the Corniche waterfront, and the Red Sea coast. Consider a day trip to Taif in the mountains for altitude running and cooler temperatures.

The Eastern Province Weekend (3–4 days)

Run the Sharqiyah International Race in December, then spend a day exploring Al Khobar and Dammam. The Eastern Province offers excellent seafood, the Ithra cultural centre, and quiet beach runs along Half Moon Bay.

Explore More Saudi Arabia Travel Guides

• Saudi Arabia Travel Guide 2026 — The complete guide to visiting the Kingdom
• AlUla Travel Guide 2026 — Ancient tombs, desert canyons, and world-class trail running
• Riyadh Travel Guide 2026 — Everything you need to know about the Saudi capital
• Jeddah Travel Guide 2026 — Red Sea coast, historic Al Balad, and the Corniche
• Dammam and Al Khobar Travel Guide — The Eastern Province’s twin cities on the Gulf
• Saudi Arabia Visa Guide — Every visa type explained
• Saudi Arabia Events Calendar 2026 — Month-by-month guide to festivals, sports, and cultural events