Sharjah Safari Run Returns on October 4 With Races for Adults and Kids
By Thasmiya
Sharjah is getting ready for another outdoor fitness event as the **Sharjah Safari Run returns on Sunday, October 4, 2026**, bringing runners into the surroundings of one of the emirate’s most distinctive attractions.
Organised by the **Sharjah Sports Council**, the community race will take place at Sharjah Safari and is being held alongside the opening of the attraction’s fifth season. Organisers are targeting around **600 participants** for this year’s event.
## **When is the Sharjah Safari Run 2026?**
The Sharjah Safari Run will take place on **Sunday, October 4, 2026**.
Race activities are scheduled to begin from **6:15am**, with different categories starting sequentially in the early morning. The main event programme is expected to conclude by around **9am**.
The early start gives participants the chance to experience the safari surroundings before temperatures rise later in the day.
## **Where will the race take place?**
The event will be held at **Sharjah Safari in Al Dhaid**, one of Sharjah’s major nature and wildlife attractions.
Rather than a typical city-road race, the location gives runners a chance to experience a more natural setting away from busy urban streets.
The event is promoted as a community experience suitable for families as well as regular runners.
## **What race distances are available?**
The official WAM and Sharjah Sports Council-linked announcement lists four race distances:
**1km** — a short-distance option suitable for younger participants.
**3km** — suitable for beginners and recreational runners.
**5km** — a mid-distance challenge.
**10km** — the longest competitive distance announced for the event.
Around **600 runners** are expected to participate across the different categories.
Participants should check their registration confirmation for their exact course distance and start time, as the current registration listing shows some differences from the distances in the official news announcement.
## **Kids can join too**
The Sharjah Safari Run is designed to be accessible to different age groups rather than only experienced athletes.
A dedicated **1km Kids Run** is listed on the current registration platform, with categories for younger participants.
This makes the event an option for parents who want to introduce children to organised running in a controlled environment.
## **What is the running route like?**
This is not entirely a conventional paved-road run.
Event information published by Sported describes the course as approximately **25% paved or tiled surface and 75% jeep track and dirt**. Runners may therefore want footwear with sufficient grip for the off-road sections.
The mixed terrain also helps make the Safari Run different from Dubai and Sharjah’s usual road and mall races.
## **Will runners receive a medal?**
Yes.
Every participant is expected to receive a **commemorative medal** for completing the event.
The top three finishers across the competitive categories will also be recognised by the organisers.
The current registration page additionally lists electronic certificates, timing, photo services and refreshments among the participant inclusions.
## **How much does registration cost?**
The live registration platform currently lists the **1km Kids Run at AED 75**.
Its other listed categories start from **AED 89.25**, with some entries priced at **AED 105**, excluding the platform’s stated service fee. Pricing varies according to race and age category.
Because the registration platform currently shows some race distances that differ from the official WAM announcement, participants should rely on the options displayed when completing their booking.
Sharjah Safari Run registration
## **When does registration close?**
The current registration page says entries are scheduled to close on **Saturday, October 3, 2026**, or earlier if the event reaches capacity.
With the organisers targeting 600 participants, runners interested in joining may want to register before the final day.
## **The run coincides with Sharjah Safari’s fifth season**
This year’s event coincides with the **fifth season of Sharjah Safari**, adding a tourism element to the community sporting event.
Sharjah Sports Council has been organising activities at destinations across the emirate as part of efforts to encourage community participation in sport and promote active lifestyles.
For families, the unusual location also makes the event different from a conventional early-morning road race.
## **What runners should know before going**
Participants should arrive early enough to collect or prepare their race bib and reach the start area before their category begins.
Because much of the route is reported to involve dirt and jeep tracks, suitable running shoes are recommended. Participants should also stay hydrated and follow instructions from race organisers and marshals.
The registration listing indicates that medical assistance, parking, toilets, changing facilities and support stations will be available.
## **Why this matters**
The Sharjah Safari Run combines fitness, family participation and one of the emirate’s most distinctive outdoor destinations.
With short races for children and beginners alongside longer competitive distances, the event is designed to make community running accessible to different ages and fitness levels.
For anyone looking to start the UAE’s cooler-season running calendar somewhere different, running through the surroundings of Sharjah Safari on October 4 could offer a memorable alternative to the usual city race.
## **Source Credits**
Information source/resource owners: Emirates News Agency (WAM), Sharjah Sports Council, Sharjah 24, Sharjah Safari, Endurance Sports Services and Hopa Sports.
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