Races

PACERTRIP CITY EDITIONSA / RACE GUIDE

Riyadh Marathon

Name: Highlights Riyadh Marathon 2023
Uploaded: 2023-02-14
Description: Held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this is the country's first official full marathon. The inaugural race took place in March 2022, and the event received World Athletics Elite Label Road Race status from

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

Riyadh
SA

B.alotaby · CC BY-SA 4.0Hamza A. Durrani, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsAdithyak1997, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsSynaps commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Race date Expected Jan: January 2027
City · Distance: Riyadh · 42.195km · 21.1km · 10km +1 more events
Entry fee: SAR 62From the 2026 edition
Status: SoonSee how to enter ↗

2027Date January 2027 · expected · Soon

2026Date Jan 31, 2026 · Entry fee SAR 62

Official website ↗

Instagram YouTube

D-day as of Nov 15, 2026

About the race Runner stories How to enter Course Race Prep Travel

Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

Held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this is the country's first official full marathon.

The inaugural race took place in March 2022, and the event received World Athletics Elite Label Road Race status from its first year.

Participation grew rapidly from about 10,000 in 2022 to approximately 40,000 runners from 131 countries in 2025.

The men's and women's winners have predominantly been athletes from Ethiopia, Morocco and Kenya.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

Stories from runners who've been there.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

Race reports: 3

NazRan in 2026

“I recently participated in my first-ever 10K run at the Riyadh Marathon 2026.”

Naz took part in the Riyadh Marathon 10K for the first time and summarized the experience of visiting the Marathon Village, collecting the race kit, getting around, choosing what to wear, and dealing with the hot weather.

Read the original on lifeinthedunes

AstronautDowntown979Ran in 2025 · Finish time 4:24:40

“I just completed my first marathon in Riyadh on February 8, 2025, and I’m still on cloud nine!”

AstronautDowntown979 took on the Riyadh Marathon as a first marathon and finished in 4:24:40. After 38K they mixed walking and jogging, but picked the running back up for the final 2.2K, finishing amid the course's ups and downs, the heat, and encouragement from family.

Read the original on Reddit · r/runna

The Running GingerRan in 2022

“We ran the first edition of the Riyadh marathon.”

The first Riyadh Marathon in 2022 involved an early-morning start, desert dust, intense dryness and a mostly flat course centred on highways. Using the aid stations and preparing for sunlight and sandstorms were important. The runner reported that, although the race had a somewhat amateur atmosphere, it remained a special experience.

Read the original on The Running Ginger

We translated a short line from each public race report and summarized the experience. Finish times are as stated by the author, and past editions may differ from this year's weather and operations.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

This may be from a past edition. Check the organizer for this year's course and operations.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

From the 2026 edition

We'll fill this in once the official entry rules are out.

Official race website Entry options

From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

Your 42.195km

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

From the 2026 edition

START

Imam Saud bin Faisal Rd, Kingdom Arena

Marathon Village

Start · Google Maps

All events (full marathon, half marathon, 10 km, and 5 km) start at King Saud University and pass through finish at the same location.

Course is designed primarily as a loop of half marathon in length, while full marathon completes two laps of this loop course.

It is an urban course passing along major roads in central Riyadh.

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

From the most recent edition

Event T-shirt 2026

10K · 5K · Marathon · Half

Finisher medal 2026

10K · 5K · Marathon · Half

Bag drop 2026

10K · 5K · Marathon · Half

Water stations 2026

10K · 5K · Marathon · Half

Timing chip 2026

10K · 5K · Marathon · Half

Medical support 2026

10K · 5K · Marathon · Half

Restrooms 2026

10K · 5K · Marathon · Half

This may change for the next edition.

Hotels960m from the start · ★9.6

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

From the 2026 edition

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the startPNU2 (Princess Nourah University 2) metro station on the Riyadh Metro
Transit cardThe most practical option is to buy a 3-day pass immediately after arrival — it is cheaper than individual single-zone tickets (SAR 4/2 hours) if you will use transit repeatedly. Where to buy
Getting to the finishPNU2 metro station (Riyadh Metro), same access as start

Source riyadhmarathon.org · checked Aug 24, 2026 · Source riyadhmetrosa.com · checked Aug 18, 2026

More details

Getting to the start

PNU2 (Princess Nourah University 2) metro station on the Riyadh Metro

Start/finish is at/near King Saud University in the Diriyah/Mayadeen area; festival location is reached via the PNU2 metro station, with the Metro operating from 5:30am on race day.

Map

Getting to the finish

PNU2 metro station (Riyadh Metro), same access as start

Loop course finishing back near King Saud University/Diriyah festival area.

Map

Start shuttle

Riyadh Metro service extended/operating early (from 5:30am) specifically for race day access

Transit card

Darb Card

Ticket counters and machines at airport stations (including King Khalid Station) Works directly at the gates

Alternative: 3-day pass (72 hours unlimited, all 6 lines + buses) SAR 20 — If you plan to use the metro and buses several times over the days before and after the race, the 3-day pass offers better value. You can also issue a QR ticket through the Darb app, so you can travel without a physical card.

Apple Pay and Mada Pay contactless payments are also supported. Riyadh uses the darb card for its metro and bus network; the physical card costs SAR 10 plus a minimum SAR 5 top-up (SAR 15 total the first time).

Visitors can skip the physical card entirely and buy passes directly in the darb app, such as a 3-day unlimited pass for SAR 20. Regular metro/bus fares start from SAR 4 for a 2-hour pass, with tickets also sold at station vending machines and ticket offices.

Where to buy

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026 Source · checked Aug 18, 2026

READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Riyadh has a desert climate, with temperatures rising even in late January, so early-morning starts are standard.

Hydration is important in the intense sun and dry air.

Registration may close early because the event’s participation numbers are growing rapidly each year, so check the official website regularly for announcements.

Times are local to Riyadh. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Amber Hospitality - Blvd

Accommodation · 960m · 14-minute walk

9.6/10(1351)

View on Booking.com

Riyadh｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service from King Khalid International Airport

SAR 113

Riyadh Marathon

About Riyadh Marathon — what makes it special

A day you'll remember,long past the finish line.

The road to your own record

When the city cheers

The trip that follows the run

Riyadh Marathon runner reviews and race reports

Stories from runners who've been there.

See it on video,feel it through their stories.

2023 Highlights

How to enter Riyadh Marathon — registration routes

How to reach the start line —start with what fits you.

Riyadh Marathon course map and elevation

Your 42.195km

Imam Saud bin Faisal Rd, Kingdom Arena

Participant benefits

Event T-shirt 2026

Finisher medal 2026

Bag drop 2026

Water stations 2026

Timing chip 2026

Medical support 2026

Restrooms 2026

Where and when to collect your Riyadh Marathon race bib

To the start line,step by step.

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

Getting to the finish

Start shuttle

Transit card

From race morning to after the finish.

The race is one day,the trip can be longer.

Amber Hospitality - Blvd

Riyadh｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service from King Khalid International Airport

Riyadh Diriyah Dining Experience

Riyadh Red Sand Dunes Full-Day Guided Tour

C Living - Executive - AQIQ

Transfer Service to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH)

The Globe Fine Dining in Riyadh

Hotels near the Riyadh Marathon start line in Riyadh

Hotels that make race morning easy

Amber Hospitality - Blvd

C Living - Executive - AQIQ

شقة فاخرة مقابل البوليفارد

حطين

استديو لوفينا 2

Arkan Arena Apartment

استديو فاخر بالبوليفارد

Tours and activities around the Riyadh Marathon in Riyadh

Time for you, before and after the finish

Riyadh｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service from King Khalid International Airport

Transfer Service to Riyadh King Khalid International Airport (RUH)

Riyadh car rental (EconomyBookings)

Riyadh Bedouin Camp Experience (Transportation Included)

Riyadh Car Rental (Qeeq)

Riyadh Al-Masmak Castle & Kingdom Tower Full-Day Tour

Masmak Palace Daytime Guided Small-Group Tour

Riyadh National Museum & Murabba Palace Half-Day Tour

Al Watan Park in Riyadh Tickets

Riyadh A Panoramic View of Riyadh from Al Faisaliah Tower

Riyadh Saudi National Museum Tour with Guide and Tickets

Thumamah Safari Adventure in Riyadh

Riyadh Al Manjour Trail Sunset Small-Group Hike

Nopa Safari Activities & Experiences (Private Vehicle)

1 Day Climbing Pass in Riyadh

Riyadh Edge of the World 4x4 Sunset

Riyadh: Red Sand Dunes Tour with Quad Bike and Camel Riding,

Riyadh Red Sands Desert Safari with 4x4 Ride

Private Car with Driver in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia e-Visa Service

Saudi Arabia Umrah e-Visa Service

Aquarabia Qiddiya City

Riyadh Snow City Inclusive 3 Hour Entry with Gear Provided

Qiddiya: The Saver Package Offer (Six Flags + Aquaria)

Walking Through Old Riyadh, Al-Masmak Palace & Hidden Stories

Where runners eat in Riyadh

Eating well is part of the trip

Riyadh Diriyah Dining Experience

The Globe Fine Dining in Riyadh

Riyadh Saudi Flavor Experience

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

To the start line,
step by step.

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

With runners who dream of
the same start line.