The “World’s Largest Half Marathon” kicks off on Al Hudayriat Island on 19 May It provides distances of half marathon - 10 km - 5 km - 1 km

Abu Dhabi will host the One Run Half-Marathon (the largest half marathon race in the world) on Al Hudayriat Island on Sunday, 19 May, at 07:15 p.m. It is organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and in cooperation with the Hero League. A large number of participants are expected to compete, including citizens, residents and visitors, in an unprecedented atmosphere full of activity and vitality.

The race offers participation options in the half marathon, 10 km, 5 km and 1 km distances, allowing individuals of all ages at varying levels of physical fitness to showcase their love for running on the picturesque Al Hudayriat Island, a quiet haven on the shore of the Arabian Gulf, located near Abu Dhabi Island, and home to many popular tourist attractions. It forms part of the impressive local infrastructure that makes Abu Dhabi a popular leisure and entertainment destination for friends, family and all members of the community.

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council organises the race in support of a healthy lifestyle for all and its continuous endeavour to consolidate the sporting culture among all generations of society, in accordance with the Council’s ambitious mission and goal to make sport part of daily life.

On the same day, more than 160,000 runners will simultaneously participate in the eighth edition of the One Run Half-Marathon in Russia, alongside more than 30,000 runners in other countries, including the UAE, Armenia, Tajikistan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, China, Brazil, Serbia, Cameroon, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar and Egypt.

His Excellency Talal Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are happy to partner with Hero League in organising this race, which will be held on Al Hudayriat Island, as it is the ideal destination for holding sporting activities, events and competitions in Abu Dhabi.”

Al Hashemi added: “The One Run Half-Marathon falls within the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s directives to support various community initiatives and events, which reflects our continued commitment to making sport a part of daily life in Abu Dhabi and in a way that supports the quality of life index in the emirate.”

Ksenia Shoigu, a member of the One Run organising committee, confirmed that since 2017, thousands of participants have joined the largest half marathon race in the world, earning the race the honour of being included in the Guinness Book of World Records twice since that year. 2023 marked the race’s first time to be held outside the borders of Russia, and in the year 2024, the race will be organised in 15 countries on the same day, indicating its remarkable development and increasing participation, which encourages everyone involved to continue working hard for more achievements.