By Staff Reporter
The Abu Dhabi Marathon has been officially awarded the “Gold Label Road Race” designation by World Athletics, marking a major milestone in its rise as a premier global running event.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsored by ADNOC, the marathon earned this recognition for meeting strict international standards. These include excellence in event organisation, strong international participation, high safety measures, quality runner services, and full compliance with global technical regulations.
The Gold Label is among the highest honours awarded to road races worldwide, underscoring the event’s rapid growth and reputation since its launch in 2018. Over the years, the marathon has attracted elite athletes alongside thousands of amateur runners from across the UAE and around the world.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, described the achievement as a reflection of the event’s commitment to world-class standards. He noted that the recognition further strengthens the marathon’s standing on the global running calendar while promoting healthy lifestyles and community engagement.
Now considered one of Abu Dhabi’s flagship sporting events, the marathon offers multiple race categories, including the full 42.2 km marathon, half marathon, and shorter distances designed to encourage wider participation.
Participation has grown steadily each year. The inaugural race in 2018 welcomed over 10,000 runners, increasing to more than 16,000 in 2019. After a pandemic-related pause, the 2021 edition drew around 12,000 participants. Numbers surged to over 20,000 in 2022 and approximately 25,000 in 2023. By 2024, the event had attracted more than 33,000 runners from over 150 nationalities, with the latest edition surpassing 37,000 participants.
This latest recognition reinforces Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a global hub for major sporting events and highlights its continued investment in promoting fitness, wellbeing, and international sports tourism.
Source: Emirates News Agency
