Plus500 City Half Marathon 2026 in Dubai

The Plus500 City Half Marathon in Dubai returns to DIFC on Sunday 8 November 2026 for its eighth edition, with four distances on closed roads and proceeds going to The Child Fund through Al Jalila Foundation. Whether you are chasing a half marathon time or planning to walk-jog your first 5km, there is a start line here for you.

The course is rated easy, the races set off in waves from just after dawn, and everything starts and finishes in front of the Gate Building in the heart of the financial district. That makes it a friendly choice for first-timers stepping up in distance and for experienced runners who want a fast city morning in early November.

Eight Editions of the City Half Marathon in Dubai

The race was launched in 2019 and ran for its first years as the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon. Plus500 took over as title partner for the sixth edition in 2024, and the event has kept the name since. It is organised by Promoseven Sports Marketing, with registration handled online through Hopasports and Al Jalila Foundation as the beneficiary partner.

The 2026 edition keeps DIFC as its home. All four races run on traffic-free roads that are marked out for the morning and supported by Dubai Police, the Roads and Transport Authority and the organiser’s own marshals, so runners have the streets to themselves rather than sharing them with traffic.

Choosing Your Distance: 21km, 15km, 10km or 5km

There are four races on the morning, each with its own start. The headline 21km half marathon sets off first at 6:15am and is open to runners aged 16 and over, with age bands of 16 to 30, 31 to 45, 46 to 60 and 61 to 99.

The 15km and the 10km both start at 6:45am. The 15km is open from age 16 and works well as a stepping stone for anyone who has run a few 10km races and wants something longer without committing to the full half. The 10km opens up to younger runners from age 10, with an extra age band for 10 to 15 year olds.

The 5km starts at 7am and welcomes runners from age six, with bands for 6 to 9 and 10 to 15. It suits families running together and anyone trying their first organised race. Every distance has automated timing, and finishers receive a medal and an electronic certificate.

The DIFC Course and Race Morning

Starting and finishing outside the Gate Building means the whole event is compact: the start pens, finish line and facilities are all in one place. The organiser describes the 5km road loop, measured to international standards, as taking in some of the best views downtown, with the Burj Khalifa, Emirates Towers and the Museum of the Future all along the way. Seeing the towers of the financial district from the middle of an empty road on a Sunday morning is a big part of the appeal.

The organisers list parking, toilets, changing rooms and showers on site, plus a registered nurse and/or emergency medical services, and support stations are mentioned on the race page. Showers and changing rooms are a real bonus here, since plenty of runners head straight on to breakfast in DIFC or to the office afterwards. Race packs are collected at Gate Avenue, Zone C, in DIFC; check your confirmation email from the organiser for the collection days and times.

Running for The Child Fund

The race has a purpose beyond the finish line. Proceeds support The Child Fund through Al Jalila Foundation, the Dubai not-for-profit focused on medical treatment, education and research. When you register you can also add an optional donation, so each entry does a little extra good.

That makes the City Half Marathon a natural choice for office teams, running clubs and groups of friends who want a shared goal. With distances for everyone from six-year-olds to seasoned half marathoners, a whole family or a whole team can take part on the same morning, each at their own level.

Registration and Entry Rules

Registration opened on 31 August 2026 and closes on Friday 6 November 2026 at 8pm, or sooner if the race is fully booked, and the race page already shows that registration is closing soon. The event is open to individual athletes.

Entry fees are generally non-refundable, though refunds can be requested up to 14 days before the race minus a 10% administration fee. Before registration closes you can switch to a different distance or transfer your entry to another athlete, which is handy if training has not gone to plan or a friend wants to take your place.

For more races and matches across the country, see our sports events in the UAE guide. Families can find more ideas in our kids events in Dubai listings, and you can plan the rest of the weekend with things to do in Dubai and things to do in November.