Yas Marina Circuit welcomed thousands of runners of all ages and abilities for the inaugural RunYAS 2026 which was headlined by four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah.
Held in partnership with Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and organised by Ethara, the event brought together more than 4,200 people including families, friends and members of the local community as they walked, ran or jogged around the iconic Formula One track.
The former British athlete joined the participants for the Yas Lap (5.3km), creating an unforgettable experience for runners on the course while Emirati sprinter Maryam Al Farsi, who represented the UAE at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, also took part, further inspiring participants throughout the day.
As well as promoting a healthy lifestyle and strengthening social cohesion through physical exercise, inclusion was also at the heart of the event with 35 People of Determination taking part.
The event saw different categories being held including the Yas 10K, the Year of Family Relay (where individuals of three participated as a team), and Yas Kids (which is made of 1K and 2K distances).
The winners of each category included: Nowel Cheruto (female) and Abu Salim Mayanja (male) in the Yas 10K. Mika Manfield and Luke Welborn won the Yas Kids 2K while Phoebe Baillon and Bradley James Reichelt came out on top in the Yas Kids 1K. The Yas Lap was won by Badriya Talal.
RunYAS was held in line with the UAE’s Year of Family, helping strengthen families and bringing local communities together.
Dr
Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said: “Seeing families, friends, and first-time runners take to Yas Marina Circuit is a powerful reminder that health is built through shared moments. In the Year of the Family 2026, initiatives like RunYAS translate our public health strategy into real action, making healthy living part of everyday life, supporting physical activity, strengthening social connection, and embedding prevention into daily routines to help build a healthier, more resilient Abu Dhabi.”
Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, Chief Executive Officer of Ethara, said: “The staging of RunYAS is another milestone addition to our community programme at Yas Marina Circuit and it was fantastic to see thousands of people from the UAE local community spend the morning by getting active on the F1 track.
“It is not only a testament to the government’s on-going efforts to promoting a healthy lifestyle for all but provides a platform to inspire other people to engage with physical exercise that they can enjoy with their friends and family.”