AlUla, Saudi Arabia, Jan 26, 2026 (GDM) –Runners from across the globe tested their endurance amid sandstone cliffs and desert valleys in north-west Saudi Arabia this weekend as more than 1,500 athletes took part in the fourth edition of the AlUla Trail Race.
Competitors from 44 countries lined up across six distances, ranging from a 1.6-kilometre children’s run to a gruelling 100km ultra trail, transforming AlUla’s dramatic landscape into one of the world’s most striking endurance racing backdrops.
The routes threaded through narrow canyons, open desert and past landmark sites including Elephant Rock, Maraya and the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Hegra, offering runners a rare blend of physical challenge and cultural immersion.
Finishers crossed the line in AlUla’s Old Town, where a fan village welcomed athletes celebrating their efforts alongside families and fellow competitors.
The growing international turnout has cemented the race as a flagship event on the AlUla Moments calendar, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s broader push to position the historic region as a global destination for sport and outdoor adventure.
“The AlUla Trail Race is unique in its ability to bring athletes of all ages from around the world to our city for a truly stunning spectacle of sport,” said Ziad AlSuhaibani, chief sports officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla.
“With such a strong turnout of runners completing their goals through our breathtaking trails, this year’s event shows the power of community sport.”
The trail race is part of the 2025-26 AlUla Moments programme, a year-round series combining sport, culture and heritage. Upcoming events include the professional cycling AlUla Tour later this week and the AlFursan Endurance AlUla, one of the region’s leading endurance horse races, in early February.
Set amid an oasis valley and ancient trade routes, AlUla is home to some of the Arabian Peninsula’s most significant archaeological sites, with more than 7,000 years of human history carved into its landscape — a setting that continues to draw athletes seeking challenges far beyond the ordinary race course.