Dubai Run 2026 is on Sunday 22 November, starting at 6:30 AM on Sheikh Zayed Road, with a 5 km and a 10 km route. It is free, but you need to register for an official bib. Dubai Ride, the cycling day on the same road, was scheduled for Sunday 1 November, so it is already over. This guide gives the routes, what we could and could not confirm about registration, last year's road closures and Metro hours, and a way to spend the rest of the day, including a late-afternoon Burj Khalifa visit from $55.
By SB Excursions · Published 3 November 2026 · Updated 3 November 2026
Tour on this route: Burj Khalifa Observation Deck — From $55 per person, 1.5-2 hours.
When is Dubai Run 2026 and how long are the routes?
Sunday 22 November 2026, starting at 6:30 AM on Sheikh Zayed Road. There is a 5 km route and a 10 km route. The start line closes at 8 AM and all runners must finish by 9 AM, according to the Arabian Post.
This guide also answers:
- Is Dubai Run free, and can tourists join?
- Where do I collect my bib for Dubai Run?
- Which Metro station should I use for Dubai Run?
The routes and plans, one by one
#1
Dubai Run 5 km, the Downtown route
The Arabian Post reports that the 5 km route starts on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Museum of the Future and finishes on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard near Dubai Mall. Organisers present it as the easier option for families and first-time runners. It passes the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera, and the finish is close to Metro and cafes.
#2
Dubai Run 10 km, along Sheikh Zayed Road
The 10 km route starts at the same place and runs along Sheikh Zayed Road, finishing near the DIFC Gate Building at Emirates Towers. Last year's route crossed the Dubai Water Canal bridge and turned around, according to Khaleej Times. Organisers say it suits experienced runners. All runners must finish by 9 AM, when the road reopens.
#3
Dubai Ride 12 km, Sheikh Zayed Road (1 November)
Gulf News described the 12 km route as intended for experienced cyclists, with five start points: Museum of the Future, Al Satwa, Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay and Lower Financial Street. It was not a race, with no timing and a speed limit of 25 km/h. Registration, a bib and a helmet were compulsory. The next edition has not been announced.
#4
Dubai Ride 4 km, the Downtown family loop (1 November)
The 4 km loop was planned along Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, past Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and the Burj Khalifa, with a single start point. Anyone under 18 had to ride with an adult, and children could ride in bike seats or trailers if they wore helmets. No rental bikes were provided at the event, and bikes are not allowed on the Metro, as Gulf News noted.
#5
After the finish: Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa
The Run finishes near Dubai Mall, and Khaleej Times reported that post-event restaurants at the mall and in DIFC opened from 7 AM last year. After a long breakfast and a rest, a late-afternoon Burj Khalifa slot is an easy second plan. Our ticket starts from $55 for Levels 124 and 125, and the fountains run in the evening.
Dubai Run and Dubai Ride 2026: the short answer
Dubai Run is on Sunday 22 November 2026. It starts at 6:30 AM on Sheikh Zayed Road, and the start line closes at 8 AM, according to the Arabian Post. There are two routes, 5 km and 10 km. Entry is free and open to all ages and abilities, but you must register and wear an official bib. All runners have to finish by 9 AM, when the road reopens to traffic.
Dubai Ride was scheduled for Sunday 1 November, the first weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, so it is over for anyone reading this now. We have not seen a date for the next one. The Run is the event that is still ahead. Both events belong to the Fitness Challenge, which runs from 31 October to 29 November; our Dubai Fitness Challenge guide covers the rest of the programme. This page was checked on 2 November 2026.
Dates and numbers at a glance
The table uses the figures from The National, Gulf News, the Arabian Post and Visit Dubai. Where a figure is from last year's edition, we say so.
| Event | Date | Routes | Times | Cost and entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Run | Sunday 22 November | 5 km and 10 km | Start 6:30 AM; start line closes 8 AM; finish by 9 AM | Free; registration and official bib required |
| Dubai Ride (already past) | Sunday 1 November | 4 km family loop and 12 km route | Routes opened 6:15 AM; last start 7:30 AM; closed 8 AM | Free; registration, bib and helmet compulsory |
| Dubai Fitness Challenge | 31 October to 29 November | Citywide | 30 minutes of activity a day | Free; residents and visitors |
As of 2 November 2026. Official channels: Dubai Fitness Challenge and dubairun.com.
The Run is the bigger event. The National reports that a record 307,000 people took part last year, against 40,327 cyclists at Dubai Ride. A crowd of that size means closed roads, a busy Metro and a slow walk to the start, so plan to arrive early.
Dubai Run: routes and timings
Both routes start on Sheikh Zayed Road near the Museum of the Future. The Arabian Post lists the Museum of the Future, Emirates Towers, the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera as landmarks on the course. The museum itself has been closed temporarily since 1 September 2026, with reopening reported for the first quarter of 2027, so you can run past it but not go in. Our Museum of the Future guide has the current status.
The 5 km route finishes on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard near Dubai Mall. The 10 km route finishes near the DIFC Gate Building at Emirates Towers. If you plan to meet friends or family at the end, choose a place away from the finish line and agree on it before the start, because the finish areas will be full.
- Start: 6:30 AM for both distances, on Sheikh Zayed Road.
- Start line closes: 8 AM, according to the Arabian Post. Last year's reports gave 8:15 AM, so treat 8 AM as the safer time.
- Finish: by 9 AM, when the road reopens to traffic.
- Who can run: all ages and abilities. The 5 km route is described as the one for families and first-time participants.
Runners, joggers and walkers have all taken part in past editions. Gulf News describes the Run as open to everyone, from serious runners to families jogging or walking together.
Registration and bibs: what is confirmed and what is not
Entry is free, but registration is required, and you need an official bib to take part. Visit Dubai points to dubairun.com as the official site. As of 2 November we could not find 2026 registration steps or a bib collection window in any report we could read, and the Arabian Post said in September that the details were still to be released. Check dubairun.com and the Dubai Fitness Challenge website before you travel, and do not rely on a third-party site.
Last year's pattern is a useful guide, but it is not a promise. Gulf News reported that bibs were collected from 3 to 22 November at the Dubai Municipality 30x30 Fitness Village in Zabeel Park. Khaleej Times reported that collection ran until 11 PM on the Saturday before the race, so it was not possible on race morning, and that friends or family could collect your bib if they showed your QR code. Plan a visit to Zabeel Park in the days before. Our Dubai Metro guide shows the lines and stations, and the RTA app gives the best route from your hotel.
Dubai Ride gave a clear example of how registration works in this challenge. Each adult registered individually, with no group sign-up. A guardian could register up to three children and had to accept the waiver for anyone under 18. After registering, riders received a QR code for bib collection and could choose a free T-shirt. Expect something similar for the Run, but confirm it on the official site.
Getting there: Metro, roads and closures
The Metro is the best way to reach the start, because the road is closed to cars. Last year, the Metro opened at 3 AM on race morning, according to Khaleej Times. The 5 km runners were advised to use World Trade Centre station and the 10 km runners to use Emirates Towers station. We have not seen the 2026 Metro hours, so check the RTA announcements in the week before. Our Nol card guide explains how to pay.
Last year the RTA closed roads from 8 PM on the Saturday and reopened everything by 9:30 AM on the Sunday. The closures covered part of Sheikh Zayed Road between Trade Centre Roundabout and Al Hadiqa bridge, Lower Financial Centre Street, one direction of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard and one lane of Al Sukook Street. The 2026 list had not been published when we checked. Roads near the route are closed, so a taxi cannot get close to the start; use the Metro. If you drive, Khaleej Times reported last year that drivers could park at Dubai World Trade Centre or Dubai Mall and then take the Metro. Our guide to getting around Dubai compares the options.
What to bring, and what to leave at the hotel
The rules below are from last year's edition, reported by Khaleej Times, and are likely to be similar. Check the 2026 rules when your registration email arrives.
- Take your bib and QR code. Only registered participants with bibs can run.
- Do not bring a backpack. There was no bag drop last year.
- Leave pets, scooters and bicycles at home.
- Wear comfortable running shoes and light clothes, and keep your phone in a pocket.
- Eat and drink before you leave the hotel. Restaurants at Dubai Mall and DIFC opened from 7 AM last year, after the event.
If you plan to watch rather than run, the Metro and the area around Dubai Mall and Emirates Towers are the best places, but road crossings close during the event. Walk to your viewing spot before the first runners arrive.
Dubai Ride: how it worked, and what comes next
Dubai Ride was planned as a morning of cycling on a Sheikh Zayed Road closed to cars. Gulf News listed two routes: a 12 km route from five start points and a flat 4 km family loop around Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and the Burj Khalifa. It was free, but registration was compulsory, there was no timing, and the speed limit was 25 km/h. A working bike, a helmet and a bib were all mandatory. Road bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, children's bikes and pedal-assisted e-bikes were allowed; electric scooters were not. No rental bikes were provided.
We have no date for the next edition. If you want to cycle in Dubai in the meantime, read our cycling guide for Al Qudra, which covers the track, bike hire and heat rules.
Plan the rest of the day around the Run
The Run ends by 9 AM, so most of the day is free. The finish areas are close to Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, and our Downtown Dubai area guide shows what is within walking distance. Many people go back to the hotel first for a shower and a long breakfast.
Our Burj Khalifa ticket is from $55 per person for Levels 124 and 125, with a timed entry and no time limit on the deck. It is a ticket and not a guided tour: you meet at the At the Top entrance on the lower ground floor of The Dubai Mall. A slot about an hour before sunset gives the best light, and our best time to visit Burj Khalifa guide explains how to choose. For something slower, our Old Dubai walking tour is from $35 per person and takes 3 to 4 hours, and the one-hour shared yacht tour in the Marina is from $32 per person.
If you have a pre-dawn pickup booked for 22 November, for example for a balloon flight, and your hotel is near Sheikh Zayed Road, write to us on WhatsApp before the day. Last year the closures started the evening before, so we can check your pickup point against them.
FAQ
When is Dubai Run 2026 and how long are the routes?
Sunday 22 November 2026, starting at 6:30 AM on Sheikh Zayed Road. There is a 5 km route and a 10 km route. The start line closes at 8 AM and all runners must finish by 9 AM, according to the Arabian Post.
Is Dubai Run free, and can tourists join?
Yes, it is free and open to all ages and abilities. You must register and wear an official bib. Visit Dubai points to dubairun.com for registration; check that site and the Dubai Fitness Challenge website, because we could not confirm the 2026 registration steps.
Where do I collect my bib for Dubai Run?
Last year bibs were collected at the Dubai Municipality 30x30 Fitness Village in Zabeel Park, from 3 to 22 November, according to Gulf News. The 2026 window has not been confirmed in the reports we read. Bibs cannot be collected on race morning.
Which Metro station should I use for Dubai Run?
Last year the 5 km runners were advised to use World Trade Centre station and the 10 km runners to use Emirates Towers station. The Metro opened at 3 AM. The 2026 hours have not been published, so check the RTA announcements.
Can I still join Dubai Ride 2026?
No. Dubai Ride was scheduled for Sunday 1 November 2026, with a 12 km route and a 4 km family loop. The next edition has not been announced. You can keep up the challenge with 30 minutes of activity a day until 29 November.
Can I walk instead of run in Dubai Run?
Yes. Gulf News describes the event as open to everyone, including families jogging or walking together. The 5 km route is the one organisers describe as suited to families and first-timers. Remember that all participants must finish by 9 AM.
Can I bring a bag or a stroller to Dubai Run?
Last year there was no bag drop, and backpacks, pets, scooters and bicycles were not allowed, according to Khaleej Times. That report did not mention strollers. Check the 2026 rules on the official site before you go.
Recommended Dubai tours for this guide
Burj Khalifa Observation Deck
It is a ticket, not a guided tour: you pick the date and time slot, we book it and send the e-tickets on WhatsApp, and you make your own way to The Dubai Mall. Levels 124 and 125 suit most visitors; SKY adds Level 148 at 555 m with priority access, a multilingual host and refreshments. On request we also book Sky Views Observatory, The View at The Palm and Dubai Frame.
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Area
- Downtown Dubai
- Format
- Timed-entry ticket
- Best for
- first-time visitors, couples and families who want Dubai from the observation decks of the 828-metre Burj Khalifa
From $55 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Dubai Marina Shared Yacht Tour
It is the most stylish way to see the skyline without paying for a private charter: a premium yacht with spacious decks and 5-star hospitality, a red carpet at the pier and the crew helping with photos against JBR and Ain Dubai. Full pre-payment secures your slot — the hourly departures sell out — and the yacht leaves strictly on time.
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Area
- Dubai Marina
- Format
- Shared 1-hour sightseeing cruise
- Best for
- families, couples and anyone who wants the Marina skyline from the water without a private charter
From $32 per person Full prepayment
View tour
Old Dubai Walking Tour
It is the Dubai that is walked rather than driven: the Creek where the city began as a trading port, the restored wind-tower quarter and the souks that still trade spices and gold. A local guide tells the story along the way. The $35 walk includes the abra, Arabic coffee or tea, dates and water; the $55 option adds street-food tastings.
- Duration
- 3-4 hours
- Area
- Old Dubai: Bur Dubai and Deira
- Format
- Shared group walk
- Best for
- first-time visitors, food lovers and anyone who wants the old trading side of Dubai on foot
From $35 per person Full prepayment
View tour📚 Keep reading
Photos: Dubai Run 10 km, along Sheikh Zayed Road — Komban Girls, CC BY-SA 4.0, Dubai Ride 12 km, Sheikh Zayed Road (1 November) — Renek78, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).