Riyadh Marathon Festival 2026: Winners Crowned As International Runners Shine

The Saudi Sports for All Federation has closed the fifth edition of the Riyadh Marathon Festival 2026, held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in Riyadh from January 28 to 31, 2026. More than 50,000 runners from 134 nationalities joined the races, as President Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal crowned winners in a carefully managed and celebratory setting.

The event confirmed the status of the Riyadh Marathon as the Kingdom’s official full marathon and a major road race in the region. Ethiopian runners led the elite results in both the men’s and women’s 42 km races, with podium places decided by narrow time differences after strong competition across the field.

In the men’s elite 42 km marathon, Ethiopian runner Abebaw Muniye secured first place with a time of 2:09:31, after a close race at the front. Ethiopian runner Asefa Tefera finished second in 2:09:44, while Ethiopian runner Tolcha Tefera completed the podium in third place with a time of 2:10:09.

The women’s elite 42 km race also saw Ethiopian dominance. Ethiopian runner Kena Girma took first place in 2:25:56, followed by Ethiopian runner Aberash Demissie in second with 2:27:15, while Ethiopian runner Nigist Muluneh finished third in 2:29:21. Winners in all other race categories were also recognised at the finish line ceremonies.

The marathon recorded participation from more than 50,000 runners representing 134 nationalities, underlining the international reach of the Riyadh event. Ages ranged from one year to 90 years, with athletes from every category present, including athletes with disabilities, which reinforced the marathon’s commitment to broad inclusivity and accessible community sport.

This edition introduced the first-ever Riyadh Marathon Festival format, extending activities over four days. The programme combined sporting, entertainment, and cultural events that drew strong public attention. More than 52,000 visitors attended the festival area, while partners and stakeholders contributed to a comprehensive experience supported by extensive local and international media coverage.

Organisation and global standing of Riyadh Marathon Festival 2026

At elite level, 59 internationally ranked male and female athletes took part, increasing the technical level of competition. Their presence strengthened the marathon’s position on the global calendar of officially recognised road races and supported its role as a competitive and preparatory stage for future international rankings and championships across long-distance running.

The Saudi Sports for All Federation confirmed that all races followed World Athletics standards as an Elite Road Race for the fifth consecutive edition. Technical and organisational supervision covered every aspect of the event. This adherence further enhanced the standing of the Riyadh Marathon as the Kingdom’s official full marathon and as one of the leading accredited road races in the wider region.

On this occasion, Prince Khaled stated that the crowning of the winners reflects the result of extensive organizational efforts and close coordination with relevant entities, noting that the strong turnout and high competitive level underscore the growing stature of the Riyadh Marathon Festival as a leading sporting and community event. He affirmed the federation's commitment to further developing and enhancing the experience in future editions.

On the sidelines of the festival, the Saudi Sports for All Federation signed a cooperation agreement with the Tokyo Marathon Foundation. The agreement highlights a shared intention to strengthen collaboration and exchange experience in organizing marathon races and improving running-related activities, especially in areas linked to event design, participant services, and technical planning.

The cooperation framework aims to support the use of best practices in event organisation, raise the quality of the marathon experience, and encourage programmes that widen community participation. These efforts align with broader initiatives to encourage regular physical activity and promote a healthy lifestyle for different age groups, including families and young participants.

The Riyadh Marathon Festival 2026 results from close cooperation between the Saudi Sports for All Federation and several public and private partners, led by the Ministry of Sport and linked to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. This partnership delivered an edition that reflects the ongoing progress of sports event organisation in the Kingdom and greater community engagement with mass participation events.

The Riyadh Marathon Festival 2026 stands as an important milestone for community sports in Saudi Arabia. The combination of elite competition, international participation, inclusive races, and expanded festival activities created a model that can support future editions. Organisers indicated that lessons from this year will inform efforts to further strengthen impact in coming years.

With inputs from SPA