AlUla Trail Race 2026 Welcomes Global Participants Across Diverse Distances

Running and endurance fans are focusing on AlUla Governorate as preparations continue for the AlUla Trail Race 2026, which starts on 22 January and runs until 23 January 2026, bringing together athletes of different ages and abilities from across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and many other countries.

The AlUla Trail Race 2026 forms part of the international endurance calendar, strengthening AlUla’s role as a preferred destination for distance runners and adventure seekers, who are drawn by desert scenery, varied terrain, and routes that combine exploration with demanding physical tests in one of the region’s most recognised long-distance events.

The 2026 edition of the AlUla Trail Race 2026 includes several distances designed for different groups, such as a 100-kilometre race regarded as one of the most demanding tests for professional participants, alongside a 50-kilometre race that takes runners through AlUla Old Town and along distinctive natural tracks.

Organisers of the AlUla Trail Race 2026 also schedule shorter distances for wider participation, including a 10-kilometre open race, a 3-kilometre race for those aged 13 years and above, a 1.6-kilometre Kids Race, and a Sunset Race dedicated to children between 5 and 12 years old.

The first day of the AlUla Trail Race 2026 on 22 January 2026 will open with the 50-kilometre race, accompanied by the Kids Race, sports shows, and several cultural and community activities, providing a busy programme for competitors and visitors throughout the day.

The second day of the AlUla Trail Race 2026 on 23 January 2026 will begin at sunrise with the start of the 100-kilometre race, followed later by the 10-kilometre event, before the programme ends with a ceremony honouring winners and distributing medals to successful finishers in all categories.

AlUla Trail Race 2026 tourism and community experience

Beyond the sporting contests, the AlUla Trail Race 2026 offers a broader community experience, with cultural and entertainment events, musical performances, food outlets, and leisure areas within the race village, creating a weekend atmosphere suitable for families, supporters, and visitors who wish to follow the races from the sidelines.

Routes of the AlUla Trail Race 2026 pass key AlUla sites, including mountains, desert rock formations, and valleys, in addition to UNESCO World Heritage locations such as Hegra and Maraya Hall, giving the competition a tourism and cultural aspect that highlights AlUla’s increasing role in global sporting events.

With inputs from SPA