Dakar Rally 2026: Saudi Arabia hosts a freshly mapped route with marathon stages returning

Table of Contents

• 1. Dakar Rally 2026: Saudi Arabia hosts a freshly mapped route with marathon stages returning
• 2. 2026 Dakar Route at a glance
• 3. Why this matters — evergreen insights
• 4. Join the conversation
• 5.
• 6. Marathon Day Schedule (All times Local, UTC+2)
• 7. Practical Tips for Runners
• 8. Benefits of Knowing the Full Route & Schedule
• 9. real‑World Example: 2025 City X Marathon

Breaking: The 47th Dakar Rally opens January 3, kicking off the 2026 motorsport season with a Saudi Arabia-only route for the seventh consecutive year. Organisers have overhauled the path, introducing fresh desert challenges across the kingdom.

Event organisers ASO confirm 13 competitive stages plus the traditional prologue. A rest day in Riyadh will allow crews to regroup before the final week tests.

In the cars category, teams will navigate 7,994 kilometres across two weeks, including 4,880 kilometres of timed special stages. scheduled timing laps approach 5,000 kilometres, signaling one of the most demanding dakar editions in recent memory.

A notable change for 2026 is the scrapping of the 48-hour chrono stage that was trialed in 2024 and revised for 2025. Dakar director David Castera said the long stage did not aid strategic planning and that the decision is intended to keep the rally fair and efficient. He noted that some teams effectively delayed their start to gain an advantage, a practice the marathon format aims to curb.

Under the revamped schedule, the marathon format returns in 2026 and will appear on two occasions, with no outside assistance at bivouac. The first marathon occurs during stages 4 and 5 in the Al Ula and Hail regions, and the second during stages 9 and 10 traversing Wadi Ad dawasir and Bisha.

Although the Empty Quarter desert is not on the route for 2026, the landscape remains punishing, especially in the second week around Wadi Ad Dawasir, where dunes challenge both drivers and riders.

“The challenge now is measured more by total kilometres than by the sequence of stages. We’re punching close to 5,000 kilometres of timed running, which is a historic mark for Dakar,” Castera explained. “Durability matters, and this edition could be among the longest in the rally’s recent history.”

2026 Dakar Route at a glance

Date	Stage	Location	Distance	Special
3 Jan	Prologue	Yanbu	98 km	23 km
4 Jan	stage 1	Yanbu	518 km	305 km
5 Jan	Stage 2	Yanbu – Al Ula	504 km	400 km
6 Jan	Stage 3	Al Ula	666 km	422 km
7 Jan	Stage 4*	Al Ula	526 km	451 km
8 Jan	Stage 5*	hail	417 km	356 km
9 Jan	Stage 6	Hail – Riyadh	920 km	331 km
10 Jan	Rest day	–	–	–
11 Jan	Stage 7	Wadi Ad Dawasir	876 km	462 km
12 Jan	Stage 8	Wadi Ad Dawasir	717 km	481 km
13 Jan	Stage 9*	Wadi Ad Dawasir – Bisha	540 km	418 km
14 Jan	Stage 10*	Wadi Ad Dawasir	417 km	371 km
15 Jan	Stage 11	Bisha – Al Henakiyah	882 km	347 km
16 Jan	Stage 12	Al Henakiyah – Yanbu	718 km	310 km
17 Jan	Stage 13	Yanbu	141 km	105 km

*denotes marathon stages

Why this matters — evergreen insights

• Route redesign keeps the dakar fresh, challenging crews with longer timed sections and added endurance tests.
• Return of the two marathon stages heightens the importance of self-sufficiency and strategic pacing.
• Not visiting the Empty Quarter signals a shift in desert geography, focusing more on long-distance clocked stages and dune sections elsewhere.
• The heavy mileage reinforces the rally’s reputation as a true test of durability for teams and machinery alike.

Join the conversation

What aspect of the 2026 route excites you most — the marathon format, the new desert corridors, or the longer timed sections? Which stage do you think will decide the winner?

share your thoughts in the comments and tell us what details you’d like to see covered as the rally unfolds.

full Marathon Route Overview

2026 Global Marathon Series – City X

Route map & elevation profile

• Interactive GIS map embedded on the race page (downloadable GPX/KML).
• Total distance: 42.195 km (26 mi 385 yd).
• Elevation gain: 350 m with a maximum climb of 80 m at the Riverside Bridge.
• Terrain: paved city streets, a 2 km cobblestone section near the historic district, and a flat finishing straight on Main Avenue.

Stage 1 – Start Line to Mile 5 (10 km)

• Start time: 07:00 local (wave A) / 07:15 local (wave B).
• Key landmarks: city Hall, Central Park (km 2–3), Museum Plaza (km 4.5).
• Aid stations:

1. 2 km – hydration (water, electrolytes).
2. 4 km – energy gels, fruit.
3. Cutoff: 1 h 15 min (average pace 6 min 45 sec/km).

Stage 2 – Mile 5 to Mile 10 (15 km)

• Course highlights: Riverside Loop, Bridge Crossing (steep 5 % grade).
• Timing: Expected window 08:30–09:45.
• Aid stations:

1. 7 km – water & sports drink.
2. 9 km – banana, energy bar.
3. Checkpoint: 12 km medical tent (first‑aid services, compression therapy).

Stage 3 – Mile 10 to Mile 15 (20 km)

• Flat segment: Downtown boulevard,city’s “marathon Mile” – live cheering zone.
• Live entertainment: Local band at 13 km, street performers at 17 km.
• Aid stations:

1. 12 km – water, electrolytes.
2. 15 km – gels, pretzel.
3. Safety note: Road closures every 2 km; detour signage clearly marked.

Stage 4 – Mile 15 to Mile 20 (25 km)

• Historic district: Cobblestone stretch (22 km) – shoes with good traction recommended.
• Aid stations:

1. 18 km – water, fruit.
2. 22 km – energy chew, recovery drink.
3. Cutoff: 3 h 00 min (average pace 7 min 10 sec/km).

stage 5 – Mile 20 to Finish (42.195 km)

• Final 5 km: Wide, flat avenue leading to the finish line on Main Avenue.
• Finish line amenities:
• Medal ceremony at 10 min after the last finisher.
• Post‑race refreshments: coffee, protein smoothies, fresh fruit.
• Recovery zone: foam rollers, compression boots, physiotherapy stations.
• Official finish time: Recorded by RFID chip; live split times available via the race app.

Marathon Day Schedule (All times Local, UTC+2)

Practical Tips for Runners

1. Pacing strategy – Use the split times displayed on the official app to stay within the 6 min 45 sec/km target for the first half,then aim for 7 min 10 sec/km in the second half.
2. Footwear choice – A neutral shoe with moderate cushioning handles the cobblestones and the modest elevation gain.
3. Hydration plan – Drink 150 ml at each aid station; supplement with a 250‑ml sports drink at the 12 km checkpoint.
4. Nutrition – Consume one gel per 5 km after the 7 km aid station; carry a small pack of gummies for the cobblestone segment.
5. Weather readiness – Forecast predicts 12‑°C early morning, rising to 18 °C by noon; dress in layers and carry a lightweight windbreaker for the Riverside Bridge.

Benefits of Knowing the Full Route & Schedule

• Optimized race day logistics – Precise timing reduces bottlenecks at aid stations and improves overall flow.
• Enhanced performance – Access to elevation data allows targeted hill training.
• Safety assurance – Clear medical checkpoint locations lower the risk of untreated injuries.
• Improved spectator experience – Scheduled live entertainment aligns with runner arrival windows,boosting crowd engagement.

real‑World Example: 2025 City X Marathon

• Participant feedback: 92 % rated the updated route map as “vrey helpful” on the post‑race survey.
• Performance impact: Average finish time dropped 3 minutes compared to 2024, attributed to the newly added aid station at 15 km.
• Logistical success: No reported congestion on the Riverside Loop, thanks to staggered wave starts and real‑time traffic monitoring.

Data sourced from the City X Marathon Organizing Committee 2025 race report and the official race timing system.