ABU DHABI: The ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon is expected to have a record 23,000 runners when it returns for its fifth edition on Dec. 16, winding its way past landmarks such as the Crown Prince Court and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, race organizers have confirmed.

The 42.195 km race, organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., will start in front of the latter organization’s headquarters on Corniche Road and take participants on a scenic journey past several of the capital’s most iconic sites, including Al-Bateen Palace, Qasr Al-Hosn, and the World Trade Centre.

The race will finish at the ADNOC Campus, near Baynunah Public Park, where a lively race village will be set up for participants and spectators to enjoy.

The annual event, which offers a prize pool of $303,000, aims to cement the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon as one of the Middle East’s premier marathon events. To cater to runners of all levels, the organizers have also announced that the Race Series Edition will return for 2023, enabling participants to compete in shorter distances in the lead-up to the main event.

The three-part Race Series, introduced to aid runners in their preparation, is open to individuals of all experience levels and goals, and the first of this year’s pre-race events took place at Yas Mall on Sept. 2, covering distances of 1 km, 2.5 km, and 5 km. The second Race Series event was held on Oct. 7 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al-Ain, with distances of 1 km, 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km. The third race will take place at Al-Hudayriyat Island on Nov. 4, featuring distances ranging from 1 km to a 21 km half-marathon.

Additionally, an all-new Al-Dhannah Community Run, an ADNOC Special Edition Race, will be held in Al-Dhannah city’s Central Park on Oct. 15 across distances ranging from 1 km, 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km.

Suhail Al-Arifi, executive director of the events sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “Organizing an exceptional event for the fifth time comes as a continuation of the successes and remarkable turnout achieved by previous editions of the marathon, which has become one of the most prominent international events, thanks to the combined efforts of everyone.

“We, with our partners at ADNOC, decided to organize three promotional community races for the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon,” he added. “During the first race held in Yas Mall this September, we were able to attract a large number of participants from various segments of society amid an atmosphere full of enthusiasm and excitement.”