Thousands take to Yas Marina Circuit for RunYAS with Mo Farah and Maryam Al Farsi
Thousands of runners turned out at Yas Marina Circuit for the inaugural RunYAS 2026, a community-focused fitness event headlined by four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah and Emirati sprinter Maryam Al Farsi.
Held in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) and organised by Ethara, the event attracted more than 4,200 participants of all ages and abilities, who walked, jogged or ran along the iconic Formula One track. Families, friends and community groups came together to take part in a range of race categories designed to promote health, inclusion and social connection.
Sir Mo Farah joined participants on the 5.3km Yas Lap, creating a memorable experience for runners, while Maryam Al Farsi, who represented the UAE at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, also took part, inspiring participants throughout the day. Inclusion was a central theme of the event, with 35 People of Determination participating alongside the wider community.
RunYAS featured several race categories, including the Yas 10K, the Year of Family Relay, which saw teams of three compete together, and Yas Kids races over 1K and 2K distances.
Winners on the day included Nowel Cheruto in the women’s Yas 10K and Abu Salim Mayanja in the men’s category. Mika Manfield and Luke Welborn claimed victory in the Yas Kids 2K, while Phoebe Baillon and Bradley James Reichelt topped the Yas Kids 1K. The Yas Lap was won by Badriya Talal.
The event was held in line with the UAE’s Year of Family, reinforcing the role of sport and physical activity in strengthening family bonds and community wellbeing.
Dr Rashed Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, said the turnout highlighted the power of shared experiences in building healthier communities. He noted that initiatives such as RunYAS translate public health strategy into practical action by embedding physical activity, prevention and social connection into everyday life.
Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, Chief Executive Officer of Ethara, described RunYAS as a milestone addition to Yas Marina Circuit’s community programme. He said the event reflected ongoing efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and provided an accessible platform for people to enjoy physical activity with friends and family in a unique setting.
