Abu Dhabi Marathon earns World Athletics Gold Label

April 27, 2026 / 10:37 AM

Sharjah 24 – WAM: World Athletics has awarded the Abu Dhabi Marathon, organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsored by ADNOC, the “Gold Label Road Race” designation. The recognition highlights the event’s high organisational standards and its growing status among the world’s leading road races.

Strict international standards

The Gold Label classification is one of the highest honours granted by World Athletics to road races. Events are assessed based on strict criteria, including organisational quality, level of international participation, safety standards, services provided to runners, and compliance with global technical regulations.

Rising global profile

The award reflects the advanced position the Abu Dhabi Marathon has achieved since its launch. The race has successfully attracted elite professional and amateur runners from around the world, in addition to thousands of participants from across the UAE and beyond.

Role in promoting sport and lifestyle

The recognition also underscores the continued efforts of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in organising and developing major sporting events. These initiatives encourage community participation in sports, promote healthy lifestyles, and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for major sporting events.

Official statement

Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said the Gold Label classification represents a new achievement reflecting the race’s success in meeting the highest international standards. He noted that it also confirms the marathon’s growing status on the global road running calendar and its role in improving quality of life and encouraging physical activity.

Expanding community participation

The Abu Dhabi Marathon is one of the emirate’s key annual sporting events, offering multiple race categories including the full marathon (42.2 km), half marathon, and shorter distances to encourage wider community participation.

Strong growth since launch

Since its launch in 2018, the event has seen steady growth in participation. It attracted over 10,000 runners in its first edition, rising to more than 16,000 in 2019. After the COVID-19 pandemic delay, the 2021 edition recorded around 12,000 participants under precautionary measures. Numbers increased to over 20,000 in 2022, around 25,000 in 2023, and more than 33,000 runners from over 150 nationalities in 2024. The latest edition recorded over 37,000 participants.