How to Enter the Doha Marathon

Running in Doha is about more than pinning an exotic destination on the map. It means taking part in a unique, lightning-fast and increasingly popular race, while also accepting a very early wake-up call to beat the heat of the Persian Gulf. With its skyscrapers and futuristic setting, the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo has become Qatar’s biggest running event in just a few years, bringing together nearly 20,000 runners from more than 160 nationalities. It is a mix of modernity, Arab traditions and a genuine ambition to establish the race on the international stage, now backed by a World Athletics Gold Label. To celebrate its 15th edition, the organisers have designed a new course to give participants the best possible experience. This guide explains how to secure your race entry for the Doha Marathon, taking place on January 15, 2027.

A race with international reach

The Doha Marathon is no longer just a 42.195 km race. It is a full weekend built around celebrating running and the marathon, designed to be inclusive, popular and seriously competitive. Five races are on offer:
➜ Marathon (42.195 km)
➜ Half marathon (21.1 km)
➜ 10 km
➜ 5 km
➜ Family Run

The 2026 edition confirmed the event’s rapid rise, with nearly 20,000 participants and World Athletics Gold Label status for the third consecutive year, underlining the quality of the race. This is no longer an under-the-radar Gulf event. Doha is becoming a serious fixture on the international marathon calendar. The 2026 elite field was particularly strong, featuring Olympic champion Tamira Tolat, who arrived in outstanding form and set a new course record of 2:05:40.

To beat the heat and make the most of the conditions, the Doha Marathon starts at 6:00 a.m. The other distances follow the same approach, with staggered start times from dawn onwards. The organisation is finely tuned, with starting areas grouped by expected pace (A, B, C and D) to keep the course flowing. As you might expect, everything is geared towards performance while still making sure amateur runners enjoy the experience.

Race entry, registration steps, key rules, race distances and tips for securing a place in the Doha Marathon.

How do you get a place in the Doha Marathon?

Registration is online through the Finishers platform or the race’s official website. The principle is simple: first come, first served.

Early Bird registration usually opens six months before race day. And, as is often the case with fast-growing events, places go quickly. Almost all entries have now sold out on the official website. A few places are still available through Finishers, the event’s official partner.

Good news if you are running as a group: groups of four or more receive a 25% discount.

What to know before registering

✔ No refunds once registration is complete
✔ Race entries cannot be transferred to another person
✔ You cannot change distance after registering
✔ If the event is cancelled due to force majeure, the organisers will automatically defer your entry if the race is rescheduled

Minimum ages:
✔ 10 for the 5 km
✔ 14 for the 10 km
✔ 16 for the half marathon and marathon

In other words, make sure you are happy with your choice before confirming your entry.

How much does a race entry cost?

The organisers use a tiered pricing system. The Early Bird rate ended on September 30. Here are the current prices listed on Finishers:
➜ Marathon: €72
➜ Marathon relay: €207
➜ Half marathon: €66
➜ 10 km: €54
➜ 5 km: €44
➜ Kids Run: Sold out

One nice extra: the marathon also offers an optional personalised medal engraving, pre-ordered online, featuring your name and official finish time. A small touch that always makes an impression once you are back home.

A new course for the 2027 edition

The completely redesigned, pancake-flat course features no loops, marking the 15th edition in style. It follows the Corniche and offers superb views across the Gulf, while taking runners past some of the city’s landmarks, including Souq Waqif, the Amiri Diwan and Doha Old Port. Runners should particularly enjoy this new layout, replacing the old course’s repeated out-and-back sections on the same loop.

The start and finish are located near the Marathon Village at Hotel Park, with:
➜ bag drop
➜ medical stations
➜ regular aid stations
➜ cultural entertainment and concerts

It is a fast course, but beware: even at 6:00 a.m., the humidity can catch you out. Here, pacing matters almost as much as fitness.

One important logistical detail: as with any major race, race bibs are not handed out on race day. They must be collected at Hotel Park in the days beforehand, during the designated collection windows.

Key facts: Doha Marathon 2027

Date: January 15, 2027 (early-morning start)
Participants: 25,000 runners expected
Total elevation gain: approximately 70 m
Average conditions: 13°C and 70% humidity
The goal: a record-friendly race with an exotic setting
Price: from €44
World Athletics Gold Label

If you are looking for a different marathon, away from the usual European destinations and offering ideal conditions for a fast time, Doha delivers a genuinely unique experience. This is a race growing quickly, with ambitions to join the biggest events in the sport. It combines an international elite field with a huge turnout of amateur runners. The golden rule? Register early, then get ready to run through a spectacular setting framed by desert and skyscrapers. Doha, in short, is a city that clearly has plenty more to say in the marathon world.

✔ Find all the registration details for the Doha Marathon