Luxor: The 33rd edition of the Egypt International Marathon kicked off on Friday 9/1/2026 in the southern city of Luxor, starting from the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut on the West Bank, with hundreds of runners from Egypt and 47 Arab and foreign countries taking part, organizers said.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Gasser Riyad, the founder and president of the Egypt International Marathon, stated that this year's edition was exceptional in terms of participation size and international diversity. He mentioned that the marathon has become a significant global sporting event and has been held for 33 consecutive years without interruption, reflecting the confidence of international sports organizations in Egypt, especially in Luxor.

The races included four distances - 5 km, 12 km, 21 km, and the full 42 km marathon. Riyad noted that the courses pass through ancient Pharaonic temples and royal tombs, giving the event a unique character unmatched by any other marathon worldwide.

Ayman Abu-Zeid, head of the Egyptian Association for Tourism and Archaeological Development, remarked that the Egypt International Marathon has become a permanent fixture on Luxor's tourism agenda and enjoys continued support from local executive authorities as part of efforts to diversify tourism offerings and promote sports tourism.