RIYADH: The Riyadh Marathon 2026 concluded on Saturday after four days of elite competition and community-focused activities, marking a successful fifth edition supported by partners and sponsors.
The marathon festival was held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University from Jan. 28-31, combining world-class athletic competition with a wide-ranging entertainment and cultural experience.
A strong lineup of international elite runners competed in the event, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Among the leading women athletes were Ethiopian world champion Gotytom Gebreslase and fellow Ethiopian Gulume Chala, alongside Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich and Nguriatukei Rael Kinyara.
The men’s field featured Moroccan runner Othmane El-Goumri, Bahraini athlete Oluwakemi Adekoya and several world half-marathon champions.
The Riyadh Marathon retained its World Athletics Elite Road Race accreditation for the fifth consecutive year and welcomed runners from 125 countries, as well as local clubs and participants of all ages and fitness levels.
Saudi Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel took part in the marathon and shared a message on his official X account,@FahadAlJalajel, saying he was pleased to take part in the event, which reflected the concept of “Sport for All” and supported the Live Healthy national initiative to improve health and quality of life.
He thanked Prince Khaled bin Al-Waleed bin Talal for backing the initiative and stressed that encouraging movement as a daily lifestyle was essential to improving public health and quality of life, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Organized by the Saudi Sports for All Federation, the marathon was delivered in strategic partnership with several government entities, including Vision 2030, the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the Saudi Athletics Federation, the National Events Center and the Riyadh Municipality, reflecting strong institutional coordination.
The 5 km and 10 km races were held within the university campus, while the 21 km half-marathon and 42 km full-marathon routes extended beyond the campus through major roads in northern Riyadh, with all races finishing inside the university.
In addition to the races, the festival featured a diverse program of live music, performances, cultural and heritage activities, and interactive experiences for all age groups, hosted in the race village and assembly areas.
The event concluded on Saturday with competitions across four main categories: the full marathon 42 km, half marathon 21 km, 10 km race, and the 5 km race dedicated to families and beginners, reinforcing the Riyadh Marathon’s position as one of Saudi Arabia’s leading community sporting events.
