Doha is setting the stage for the much-awaited 2026 Marathon by Ooredoo. The 14th edition welcomes thousands of runners and supporters coming together on the Corniche waterfront to spend a full day racing and celebrating. This race will take place on January 16, with the finish line again being stationed at Hotel Park.  The race village is adjacent to the Sheraton, making it convenient for the runners due to its flatness, and the spectators, who'll be able to see most of the action from one place.

Date: January 16, 2026

Start & end point: Hotel Park, Sheraton Area

Expected number of participants: 20,000+

Pricing:

Doha Marathon’s primary purpose is to bring the community together and promote a healthy lifestyle. It welcomes anybody who’s willing to take on this challenge and has four different races to choose from — from the 5 km one, open to everybody who’s 10 years or older, to the pro 42 km race for adults. There is also a special kids' race for children between the ages of four and ten.

The marathon will accommodate competitors with disabilities. They will be rewarded with special prizes and be able to sign up for all distance categories up to 21 km. In case you fall into the special category, you should email the organizers instead of filling out the regular registration form. 

Aside from competitors with disabilities, all Qatari runners will get a chance to receive special prizes in each category, to be awarded at the Gala Dinner on the 17th of January. Raffles and high-value gift pools have also been incorporated in the past, so they’re expected to be organized this year as well. Proceeds from the races will be donated to local Qatar charities.

Route 1: Marathon

Range: 42.195 km

Start/end point: Hotel Park, Sheraton Area

The full Marathon starts at Hotel Park and then proceeds along the Doha Corniche, with long, straight stretches of waterfront that are ideal for a quick pace. The runners pass through Al Dafna Park, the traditional arches of Al Bida Park, and the Amiri Diwan, then head inland toward the Pearl Monument. 

The course proceeds beyond the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex to the Tornado Tower, where a controlled 180-degree turnaround leads the runners back on the identical scenic route to the finish line in the Sheraton Park.

Route 2: Half-marathon

Range: 21.1 km

Start/end point: Hotel Park

The half-marathon follows a similar path, thus being as visually appealing as the full marathon and also flat. The runners go through downtown areas after passing Al Dafna and Al Bida Park and then make a turnaround before the Tornado Tower. The out-and-back format is easy to navigate and still allows the spectators to view most of the race from the Corniche.

Route 3: Medium race

Range: 10 km

Start/end point: Hotel Park

This road runs near the Corniche and adjacent streets, with some skyline views and a slight rise. One lap with a short winding gives the runners an opportunity to see the most iconic sights in Doha, and also has a fast and accessible race profile. It is especially very popular among first-time racers and intermediate runners.

Route 4: Short & kids' races

Range: 5 km (Kids' race is held individually)

Start/end point: Hotel Park

The adult race covers the shortest distance, which is an out-and-back course running along the Corniche, through Al Dafna Park, and back to the race village. The kids' race takes place in the park area, and the controlled distances with supervision are organized for young participants aged 4 to 10.

Disclaimer: The information from this article was taken from the official Doha Marathon website, with details subject to change. Before joining the event, check the latest timings on the website.