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El Gouna Half Marathon 2026

« It's the Red Sea »
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Photo credits: Semi Marathon d'El Gouna
Road Running
🌊 Seaside🏘️ In the city👶 Kids & juniors courses
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The event in a few words

You’re about to run in a town that, barely thirty years ago, was nothing but a patch of Egyptian desert 🏜️. But don’t worry, El Gouna is now a super-lively oasis set on the turquoise shores of the Red Sea 🐠. For a bit of background, it all started in 1996, with a single 200-room hotel planted in the middle of nowhere 🧍. Crazy, right? 😳 Today, it’s a seaside resort of around twenty thousand inhabitants, with its universities, monuments, its harbor and above all… a half marathon 🤪.

This 21 km route through town will get your pulse racing as you pass its lagoons, marinas and streets 🔥. El Gouna is a seaside town specially built for tourism and holidays 🌴. This destination is trendy in Egypt, so why not combine sport and travel? What’s more, you’ll definitely find a distance for you between the 5 km, 10 km or the big leap of 21 km to explore every corner of this city that rose from the sand ⬆. And if you’re coming as a family, good news: the little ones get their moment of glory too thanks to the kids’ race of 1 km, a great way to make memories and pass on the great values of sport 👶. Between strides, keep your eyes wide open 👀: El Gouna is a life-size postcard setting 😍. The lagoons 💦, dream hotels 🤩, kitesurfers dancing with the wind 💨, the locals’ welcome… Here, everything is designed for outdoor living, under the sun, as close as possible to the Red Sea, famed for its warm, crystal-clear waters ✨.

We can see you haven’t forgotten the reason you came: vacation 🥥. After giving it your all, you’ve earned some well-deserved recovery time. El Gouna is packed with unusual activities to do solo or with a group, like scuba diving, kitesurfing, windsurfing, water skiing...🏄 So you can try whatever you like...or just rest! You can lounge at Zeytuna Beach, visit the Turtle House by architect Kurt Völtzke, or sample local specialties 🧆. Foul, Taameya, Kofta, Koshari, Knafeh...you’re in for a feast fit for an Egyptian king 🤴.

Ready for takeoff? Buckle up, destination El Gouna ✈️.

5 reasons to join this race

A fast time between the lagoons ⏱️
A fast time between the lagoons ⏱️ No pass, no hills: the only bumps on the course come in the form of a few bridges over the water 🌊. Add to that an early start, before the sun heats up the asphalt, and chip timing. You’ve got a dream playground to smash your half-marathon PB 🚀.
Kitesurfers as your cheer squad 🪁
On Kite Centre Road, colorful kites replace the banners 🎏. The northwesterly wind, riders’ favorite fuel, might blow at your back… or straight in your face! 😅 Tuck into a group to tackle this section with a bit of cunning.
A half marathon in shorts in the middle of autumn 😎
While Europe pulls out the gloves, El Gouna often tops 25°C during the day in mid-November 🌞. Recovery then happens in a sea that’s still warm, mask and snorkel optional 🤿. Hard to find a better excuse to extend the stay!
A race meeting international standards 🥇
Technical supervision by the Egyptian Athletics Federation, distances measured to international standards, ambulances positioned along the route: the El Gouna Half Marathon leaves nothing to chance 🚑. Age-group podiums reward both youngsters and veterans, and every finisher goes home with their medal 💪.
The whole family on the start line 👨‍👩‍👧
One on the half, another on the 10 km, the teen on the 5 km and the little ones on the 1 km: everyone finds their challenge on the same morning 🎈. Kids set off after the adults, which lets parents switch from runners to supporters in the blink of an eye 🙌.

A distance for every taste

Half Marathon

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Road Running🌊 Seaside🏘️ In the city
  • Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 7:00 AM
  • 21.0975 km

A few more words

The grand tour of El Gouna! 🏁 You’ll set off from Abu Tig Marina in the cool morning air, then pass through Downtown El Gouna before running alongside the golf course. Next, you’ll speed down Kite Centre Road. The profile stays flat from start to finish, with only a few bridges over the lagoons to break the monotony of this half marathon. On Kite Centre Road, exposed to the wind, tuck into a group to save energy. The sun climbs as the morning goes on: manage your hydration over the second half 🔥. Back to Abu Tig Marina for the final turn, with the finish line in sight.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Bibs can be collected on Friday, November 20, 2026, from 5pm to 8pm, at Piazza della Fontana.

The races take place on Saturday, November 21, 2026 in El Gouna. Here is the schedule:

  • 6am: opening of the start area at Abu Tig Marina.

  • 7am: start of the 5 km, 10 km and half marathon from Abu Tig Marina.

  • 10am: start of the 1K Kids Race from Piazza della Fontana.

  • 10:30am: awards ceremony.

Participants are asked to arrive at least 45 minutes before the start. Two additional events are also planned:

  • On Thursday, November 19, 2026, at sunset, a 3K Runway Race (more information to come).

  • On Friday, November 20, 2026 at 10am, a 4K Shakeout Run starting from the Diwan bookstore. It is followed by a briefing in Arabic and English at 7pm.

No, it is not mandatory; however, you will need to present a PPS certificate issued less than one year before the race date.

The minimum age depends on the distance:

  • Half marathon: from age 16.

  • 10 km: from age 12.

  • 5 km: from age 8.

  • 1 km: from 5 to 8 years old

Prices increase depending on the registration period. They are shown excluding VAT:

From Tuesday, September 1 to Saturday, October 31, 2026:

  • For the half marathon: 2,000 EGP

  • For the 10 km: 2,000 EGP

  • For the 5 km: 2,000 EGP

  • For the 1K Kids Race: 300 EGP

From Sunday, November 1, 2026, subject to availability:

  • For the half marathon: 2,250 EGP

  • For the 10 km: 2,250 EGP

  • For the 5 km: 2,250 EGP

  • For the 1K Kids Race: 300 EGP

Yes, you have 3 hours to finish your race, whatever the distance.

Aid stations are planned approximately every 2.5 km. The stations will include:

  • Nestle Water (in small 330 ml plastic bottles)

  • Bananas

  • Sports drink "Powerade"

Your registration includes:

  • A race bag.

  • A race t-shirt.

  • A bib with a MyLaps timing chip.

  • Gifts from partners.

  • The finisher medal.

  • A digital certificate.

  • Access to the Racemate app, the official technical partner, which offers audio guidance, live tracking for loved ones, and instant results.

No bag drop is planned. It is recommended to leave your belongings at the hotel, in your vehicle, or with your loved ones.

If you still have questions, you can contact the organizers:

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Semi Marathon d'El Gouna
Semi Marathon d'El Gouna
Semi Marathon d'El Gouna
Semi Marathon d'El Gouna
Semi Marathon d'El Gouna
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