Damascus Marathon Returns October 23 With Four Race Distances and International Participation

Organizers expect runners from 24 countries as routes through Old Damascus combine road racing with efforts to promote the city's heritage and visitor appeal.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Damascus Marathon 2026 is scheduled for Friday October 23 with runners from 24 countries expected.
• Four distances of 42 km, 21 km, 10 km and 5 km start at 6 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. respectively.
• All races are planned to begin at Umayyad Park and pass through landmarks and squares of Old Damascus.
• Organizers and tourism officials are presenting the event as a way to connect communities and introduce visitors to Syrian heritage.

Damascus is preparing to turn its historic streets into a setting for international road racing on Friday, October 23, 2026, as the second Damascus Marathon brings four running distances to the Syrian capital. Organizers expect athletes from 24 countries, positioning the event as both a sporting gathering and an opportunity to introduce visitors to the city’s cultural landmarks.

Details released at an October 19 press conference at the Semiramis Hotel, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), outline a program spanning the full 42-kilometre marathon course, a 21-kilometre race, a 10-kilometre run and a 5-kilometre event. Every route is scheduled to begin at Umayyad Park and travel through squares and heritage areas of Old Damascus.

Four races through the capital

The longest distance is due to begin at 6 a.m., followed by the 21-kilometre event at 8 a.m., the 10-kilometre run at 9 a.m. and the 5-kilometre run at 10 a.m., according to operations director Jad Assasa. The different distances create options for runners seeking a full-distance challenge as well as participants interested in shorter urban routes. Organizers have not provided detailed course maps, entry conditions or road-closure information in the announcement.

Executive director Amer al-Rifai described a wider ambition for the event: bringing people of different backgrounds together while raising the profile of Damascus through a professionally organized sporting occasion. His comments frame the race as a way for visiting participants to encounter the capital’s history and share their experiences beyond Syria.

Tourism and community participation

Ruba Sassila, director of tourism marketing and media at Syria’s Ministry of Tourism, emphasized the potential for sports events to introduce visitors to the country’s heritage and travel experiences. In the ministry’s view, participants and accompanying visitors could use the occasion to explore landmarks and cultural sites around Damascus, although the announcement did not describe a separate official sightseeing itinerary.

The event is also drawing support from transport and volunteer organizations. Iyad al-Naqqash, commercial and external affairs director at Syrian Holding Aviation Company, said support from Syrian Airlines reflects the role of community initiatives in connecting people across borders. The announcement does not specify new flights or special travel arrangements for marathon participants.

Anwar al-Louji, head of Junior Chamber International Damascus, said the organization is helping coordinate volunteers along the race routes, build their skills and involve professionals including doctors, engineers and businesspeople. Sponsor representative Jumana Qaddah also highlighted the marathon’s intended contribution to community engagement.

The upcoming edition follows the first Damascus Marathon in September 2025, which attracted around 2,500 runners from several countries, according to SANA. With international participation again anticipated in 2026, the organizers hope that running through the capital will draw attention not only to competition but also to the city’s longstanding cultural identity.