Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (Abu Dhabi)
A new route and home for the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, in its seventh edition, will not make any difference to the international athletes when they hit the road early on Saturday morning – especially the top women competitors, Catherine Amanang’ole of Kenya and Dolshi Teklegergish of Eritrea.
For the first time, the marathon – which offers a prize purse of more than $305,000 – will begin at Zayed Sports City before heading toward Arab Gulf Street, passing Capital Gate, continuing to the ADNOC headquarters, and moving along the Abu Dhabi Corniche to reach Qasr Al Hosn.
The route then turns toward the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque via Airport Road before returning to Zayed Sports City for the finish. Participants in the shorter-distance races will also start from there and run toward Arab Gulf Street, finishing at designated points opposite the venue.
Amanang’ole and Teklegergish finished first and second at last year’s marathon, when it was based at the ADNOC Tower near the one at the end of the Corniche. “The route doesn’t matter. It is the weather. This year seems better, but I don’t think I will be able to go better than my personal best here [2:20.34],” the defending champion Amanang’ole told Aletihad on Thursday.
Hampered by a language barrier, the 2023 World Half Marathon bronze medalist failed to elaborate on why she felt she could not improve on her best time.
Teklegergish’s personal best is eight seconds shy of her biggest rival and her lesser height is also disadvantageous; yet, she is more confident than in her runner-up finish in 2024. “Last year, I came alone and hence struggled. This time I have got a pacemaker and I am sure I will make it,” the Eritrean told Aletihad.
The event will feature multiple race categories, including the full marathon (42.2km), a two-person relay marathon, 10km, 5km, 2.5km, in addition to a dedicated race for People of Determination.
In the men’s category, the challenge will see Kenyans Eric Kiptanui (Kenya) and Mike Boit, and Kaan Ozbilen (Türkiye) among the contenders. Of the three, Obzilen has the best personal time of 2:04.16, set in Valencia, but that was six years ago.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council also unveiled the official Nike race jersey for the 2025 edition, provided free to all registered runners. The medals have been specially designed to feature the marathon route, offering participants a meaningful commemorative keepsake.
This year’s marathon is expected to welcome more than 40,000 participants, an increase of over 20% compared to last year’s edition, which saw 33,000 runners across various age groups and categories, including elite international athletes.
As part of event preparations, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) organised two promotional races: a 10km race in Al Dhannah in Al Dhafra region, and a half marathon in Al Ain, both drawing thousands of runners. The Council also offered free, year-round training sessions led by the Abu Dhabi Running Team, serving communities across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
To a question at the press conference on the eve of the race, Talal Al Hashemi, the ADSC Director for Sports Events, said that the participation in the feeder races technically take the participation “to nearly 50,000 in number, and both events are recognised by the [international governing body] World Athletics”.
Off the track, he added that for the race village, “we have ensured the creation of a fully integrated environment that meets the needs of runners, families and visitors – reflecting the marathon’s status as a global event that promotes health, activity and community engagement. We are confident that this year’s edition will deliver an exceptional experience for everyone.”
