Led by ADPHC to inspire a more active and healthy Abu Dhabi, RunYAS will be held on 11 January 2026 with categories for families, youth, first-time runners, and advanced athletes.
Yas Marina Circuit will welcome thousands of runners on 11 January 2026 for RunYAS 2026, a new community running festival designed to kick-start a healthier new year for Abu Dhabi. Held in partnership with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and organised by Ethara, RunYAS invites everyone from first-time runners to seasoned athletes to take part and experience the joy of movement.
Leading the event this year are four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah and 17-year-old Emirati Olympian Maryam Al Farsi.
Farah, serving as RunYAS ambassador, said: “Being a champion is not about winning, it’s about finishing. I’m really looking forward to coming to Abu Dhabi and seeing people of all ages and backgrounds take on the iconic Yas Marina Circuit in January.”
Farah has also invited rising UAE track star Maryam Al Farsi, who made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024, to join him at RunYAS.
Al Farsi said: “I am so excited about RunYAS. It will be a great event for everyone. I usually run sprint events but I am signed up for the Yas Lap and can’t wait. Come on everyone, let’s do this.”
“I am so excited about RunYAS. It will be a great event for everyone. I usually run sprint events but I am signed up for the Yas Lap and can’t wait. Come on everyone, let’s do this.”
Maryam Al Farsi, UAE Olympian
RunYAS brings together families, schools, clubs, and community groups and offers multiple participation categories for every age and pace.
Yas Kids features 1k and 2k races exclusively for Abu Dhabi schools and sports clubs, with all participants under 14 on the day of the race.
Yas Relay is designed for teams of three and gives friends, families, and colleagues the chance to run together as part of the Yas Lap category.
Yas Lap is a 5.281 km run on the iconic Yas Marina Circuit. It is open to ages 14 and above with parental consent. Every finisher receives a bespoke RunYAS Champions t-shirt designed by Capelli Sport.
Yas 10k offers a longer challenge for advanced runners or anyone training for long-distance events.
H. E. Dr. Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADPHC, said: “RunYAS forms part of ADPHC’s wider mission to promote active lifestyles, reduce the burden of chronic disease, and make healthy choices easier and more accessible for all residents. The initiative reinforces Abu Dhabi’s long-term commitment to build a city where wellbeing is embedded into everyday life, across homes, workplaces, and public spaces.”
Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, Chief Executive Officer of Ethara, said: “RunYAS is an opportunity to celebrate community sports, health, and wellbeing at Yas Marina Circuit. We aim to build RunYAS into a landmark annual running festival while inspiring the community and visitors to lead healthy and active lives. With 2026 being the Year of the Family, we encourage runners of all abilities and families to participate.”
Registrations will be powered by Premier Online and open Thursday, 20 November 2025. Early bird discounts of 30 percent apply to all races until December 15. Participants can register via www.RunYas.ae or the Premier Online platform.
