Arabian Warrior Abu Dhabi will bring outdoor adventure to Al Hudayriyat Island
One of the Middle East’s fastest-growing endurance sports events, Arabian Warrior, is hitting the capital for the very first time, turning Al Hudayriyat Island into a playground of fitness, teamwork, and adrenaline this Saturday, 31 January.
Set against the stunning coastal backdrop of Hudayriyat Island and hosted at Surf Abu Dhabi in collaboration with Modon, the event promises to transform the island’s open spaces and waterfront into a buzzing hub of obstacle course action.
View this post on Instagram
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply looking for a fun family challenge, there’s a course for everyone.
Race categories range from a 1km kids’ course (ages 5–12) to 5km, 10km, and 20km endurance challenges, including team formats and local league races.
Heats kick off bright and early from 7.45am, so grab your sneakers and get ready to climb, crawl, jump, and sprint your way to glory.
But it’s not just about the public races. The Abu Dhabi event will also host the second round of the UAE OCR School and University Championships, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Championship, UAE University Games, and UAESUSF.
You might also like: Natural History Museum is bringing a kids pop-up to Al Hosn Festival
More than 1,000 students from schools and universities across the capital will take on obstacle courses, battling for spots in the Grand Finale in Ras Al Khaimah this April.
Nic Cartwright, CEO of Arabian Warrior, said: “Bringing Arabian Warrior to Abu Dhabi is a huge milestone for us. Hudayriyat Island is the perfect setting, offering a scenic, fun, and challenging space for everyone to get involved. It’s going to be epic!”
Paul Downes, Schools & Universities Lead, added: “The School and University Championships are close to our hearts. OCR teaches confidence, resilience, teamwork, and a lifelong love of fitness. Seeing over a thousand students getting stuck in at our first Abu Dhabi event is incredible!”
With races for kids, families, teams, and competitive athletes, Arabian Warrior Abu Dhabi is shaping up to be a full-blown celebration of community, health, and outdoor fun.
Whether you’re running, cheering, or just soaking up the atmosphere, this event is a can’t-miss start to the year for fitness fans and adventure seekers alike.
AED95. Saturday, 31 January 2026. 7.45am. Surf Abu Dhabi, Al Hudayriyat Island. For further information, visit arabianwarrior.me
Follow Yalla for all the latest news
