Riyadh Marathon

The Riyadh Marathon is an international sporting race organized by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the first full professional marathon in the country, officially recognized by the Asian Athletics Federation, and features multiple races suitable for all members of society, regardless of gender, ability, or fitness level. The first edition was held in February 2018, with the participation of eleven thousand runners. The event is organized by the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), with the support of the Ministry of Sport.

Objectives of Riyadh Marathon

The international marathon serves as a catalyst for motivating all members of society to engage in sports and physical activities, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and fostering a vibrant and healthy society. By inspiring individuals across all segments of society and encouraging them to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, the aim is to elevate the percentage of the population engaging in physical activity to 40 percent by 2030. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Quality of Life Program, a program of Saudi Vision 2030.

First Edition of the Riyadh Marathon

The first edition of the Riyadh Marathon was held in 2018, with the participation of eleven thousand runners, including professional male and female athletes. The event was open to all ages and physical abilities.

The marathon began with the full marathon (42 km), starting from King Saud University, allowing participants to explore several of Riyadh’s landmarks, including Diriyah, main roads, the Digital City, and King Saud University.

Runners aged eighteen and above were able to participate in the half marathon (21.1 km), while the 10 km race was open to participants aged seventeen and above. A 4 km race was designated for beginners and children.

Second Edition of the Riyadh Marathon

The Saudi Sports for All Federation organized the second edition of the Riyadh Marathon in 2022, with a course designed to give participants the opportunity to explore several of Riyadh’s prominent landmarks. The event featured multiple races suitable for all members of society, regardless of gender, fitness level, or ability, attracting approximately 10,000 participants. Of these, 60 percent were male and 40 percent female, representing over one hundred countries worldwide. This international sporting event was the first full professional marathon held in Saudi Arabia and was officially recognized by both the Asian and International Athletics Federations.

Third Edition of the Riyadh Marathon

The third edition of the Riyadh Marathon was held on February 9–10, 2024, with the participation of approximately twenty thousand runners from 125 countries, 64 percent male and 36 percent female. The event included six hundred participants in the full marathon, three thousand participants in the half marathon, eight thousand participants in the 10 km race, and 8,400 participants in the 4 km race.

Fourth Edition of the Riyadh Marathon

The fourth edition of the Riyadh Marathon was held on February 8, 2025, with the participation of approximately forty thousand runners from 131 countries. The event featured four races: the full marathon (42 km), the half marathon (21 km), the 10 km race, and a 4 km family run. Participants ran a course that combined physical challenge with sightseeing of Riyadh’s landmarks, finishing at Kingdom Arena. Saudi runners accounted for 67 percent of the total participants, while women made up 40 percent of all participants.

Fifth Edition of the Riyadh Marathon

The fifth edition of the Riyadh Marathon was held from 25–31 January 2026, during which the Riyadh Marathon Festival was launched for the first time at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. This edition included four main races: the full marathon (42 km), the half marathon (21 km), the 10 km race, and a 5 km race for families and beginners.