Saudi Women Hit 25.8% of Riyadh Marathon Runners

Saudi women accounted for 25.8% of runners at the 2026 Riyadh Marathon, a notable rise from 18.7% recorded in 2022. The event was held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University in الرياض from 28 to 30 January 2026.

The 2026 edition proved highly popular, with all race categories selling out ahead of the event. Entry to the accompanying Riyadh Marathon Festival was free and open to the public, drawing families and spectators across the three-day program.

Runners competed across several distances with varying age requirements. The 5 km Fun Run was open to all ages, the 10 km race required a minimum age of 17, the half marathon required participants to be 18, and the full marathon was limited to runners aged 20 and above.

Published entry fees were SAR 62 for the 5 km Fun Run, SAR 85 for the 10 km race, SAR 119 for the half marathon, and SAR 149 for the full marathon.

Why it matters

The steady growth in women's participation reflects the expanding role of sport and active lifestyles in community life across the Kingdom. The rise from 18.7% to 25.8% in four years signals growing engagement among Saudi women in mass-participation events, and the sold-out categories point to strong public demand for organized running in the capital.

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