What races will be held in Moscow in 2026

With the onset of cold weather in Moscow, another running season has come to an end. After the last outdoor races, athletes are beginning to prepare for the new 2026 season.

One of the first major races of the new running season will be the Moscow Half Marathon. It will be held on April 25 and 26. The program will include a five-kilometer race, corporate and student relay races, a children’s race and a 21.1-kilometer half marathon.

On May 16 there will be a relay race along the Garden Ring. The event dates back to 1922. In 2025, the competition was held again for the first time after a long break. The relay race gathered about 10,000 participants. In addition, on August 22, the capital will host the Great Festival of Running, which will bring together fans of sports and music.

On September 19 and 20, the Moscow Marathon will be held. This is the main running event not only for the capital, but for the whole country. Athletes will be able to participate in the main race, 42.2 kilometers, or the 10 kilometer, corporate and student relay races. In addition, there will be a children’s race. In 2025, more than 42,000 people from 65 countries took part in the Moscow Marathon.

The capital city’s running calendar boasts a lot of variety. In addition to the Moscow Marathon and Moscow Half Marathon, the famous relay race along the Garden Ring, the short and long distance races, cross-country races and city center street streets, unusual events such as the Colorful and Night races, and the Fast Dog parkrun, in which owners participate with their pets, are especially popular.

Each competition becomes a celebration for the whole city. Organizers try to take runners’ wishes into account when developing new routes and adding distances. They also prepare an entertainment program for the audience. But it is the support from the fans lining the course that really gives the races their unforgettable atmosphere.