Abu Dhabi Marathon Village 2025: running, community and race prep at Zayed Sports City

The Abu Dhabi Marathon Village 2025 has transformed Zayed Sports City into a dedicated celebration of running and active living in the lead up to the seventh Abu Dhabi Marathon on 13 December.

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Since opening on 8 December, the village has already attracted thousands of visitors, from elite athletes to families exploring the event atmosphere.

Organised by Abu Dhabi Sports Council and sponsored by ADNOC, the village serves as the central hub for runners and the wider public. It combines race services, fitness activities and entertainment in one place, making it the heartbeat of marathon week in the UAE capital.

What is Abu Dhabi Marathon Village 2025?

Abu Dhabi Marathon Village 2025 is a purpose built fan and runner zone at Zayed Sports City, providing everything participants and supporters need in the days before race day.

Designed around the marathon course and event branding, the village offers:

• A place to collect race kits and official gear
  
  

• A meeting point for friends, families and running groups
  
  

• A space for entertainment, workouts and community events
  
  

By positioning the village in one of Abu Dhabi’s top multi sport destinations, the organisers connect the city’s existing sports culture with one of its biggest road races.

Key dates, timings and location

The Marathon Village is based at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and runs throughout race week with extended hours on race day.

• Location
  
  

  • Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi
    
    

• Opening period
  
  

  • Open from 8 December in the build up to the marathon
    
    

• Daily opening times
  
  

  • 8–12 December
    
    

    • Daily from 15:00 to 22:00
      
      

  • Race day, 13 December
    
    

    • From 05:00 to 13:00, giving runners and spectators more time to enjoy the village before and after their events
      
      

• Pre race press conference
  
  

  • 11 December at 16:00
    
    

  • Features leading international runners sharing their preparation and expectations with the media
    
    

These timings give residents plenty of opportunity to visit whether they are racing, spectating or simply curious about the marathon.

Activities for every age and fitness level

The Abu Dhabi Marathon Village is deliberately designed to be inclusive, with activities suited to different ages and fitness levels.

Key features include:

• Fitness classes and workouts
  Structured sessions and general workout activities suitable for both beginners and experienced runners help people stay active during race week.
  
  

• Yoga sessions
  Guided yoga and mobility work support recovery, flexibility and pre race calm, valuable for runners and non runners alike.
  
  

• Children’s zones
  Dedicated areas for children feature games and interactive experiences, allowing families to enjoy the village together while keeping younger visitors engaged and active.
  
  

• Live music and artistic performances
  Performances from musicians and artists build a festive, high energy atmosphere across the village, turning race preparation into a community celebration.
  
  

The result is a space where training, relaxation and entertainment sit side by side, encouraging more people to connect with fitness in a positive and social way.

Race services, medals and official marathon gear

For registered runners, Abu Dhabi Marathon Village 2025 is also the key operational hub before race day.

Visitors can:

• Collect race kits
  Participants pick up their bib numbers and timing chips, ensuring everything is in place well before the start line.
  
  

• Receive official Nike race shirts
  After completing registration, runners collect their branded Nike event shirts, a core part of the race experience and a reminder of their preparation journey.
  
  

• View this year’s bespoke medals
  Display cases showcase the custom designed medals, which incorporate the marathon course map. This gives runners a clear visual of what they are working toward and adds to the anticipation of crossing the finish line.
  
  

Sponsor and partner pavilions line the village, presenting the latest sports, health and fitness products. These stands allow visitors to discover new gear, technology and wellness services that can support their long term training.

Community, health and the role of Zayed Sports City

Zayed Sports City is already one of Abu Dhabi’s leading sports hubs, hosting football, tennis, ice sports and a variety of fitness clubs throughout the year.

Placing the Abu Dhabi Marathon Village within this complex reinforces several key themes:

• Health and activity
  The village aligns with the UAE’s wider focus on encouraging residents to move more and adopt active lifestyles through accessible community events.
  
  

• Family friendly participation
  With zones for children, entertainment for all ages and accessible activities, the village positions the marathon as an occasion for the whole community, not only registered runners.
  
  

• Global sporting profile
  Talal Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, highlights that the village is a vital part of the marathon experience, offering an integrated environment that reflects the event’s international status and community focus.
  
  

By combining race logistics and social experiences, the village makes long distance running feel less intimidating and more connected to everyday life in Abu Dhabi.

Tips for runners visiting Abu Dhabi Marathon Village 2025

To get the most from your visit, it helps to plan around both your race needs and the wider village experience.

1. Collect your race kit early

Avoid last minute stress by collecting your race kit soon after the village opens. This leaves time to check your bib details, explore the route information and resolve any questions with event staff.

2. Use the fitness and yoga sessions for smart preparation

Light fitness classes and yoga can be ideal for loosening up ahead of race day rather than pushing hard. Focus on mobility, breathing and relaxation so you arrive at the start line feeling prepared rather than fatigued.

If you live in the capital, combine your village visit with consistent training at one of the many gyms in Abu Dhabi so that race week feels like a natural extension of your usual routine.

3. Make it a family event

Take advantage of the children’s zones, games and interactive activities so your family can share the experience and support your training journey. This can make long distance running feel more sustainable and rewarding.

4. Explore sponsor pavilions with a plan

With so many sports and health brands on show, it is easy to get distracted. Prioritise what you really need, whether that is new running shoes, recovery tools or nutrition products to support your mileage over the coming months.

5. Learn from elite athletes

If you can attend the pre race press conference on 11 December, treat it as a live masterclass. Listening to elite runners discuss their preparation and mindset can provide valuable ideas for your own training and race strategy.

For more guidance on building a training plan and staying consistent year round, explore the articles and advice available through the GymNation Fitness Hub.

Source: wam.ae

The opinions shared in the blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.