Where to Run in Dubai: Eight Free or Low-Cost Tracks, With Distances and Fees

Dubai's best running surfaces are mostly inside its public parks, and several cost nothing to enter. Most Dubai Municipality parks open daily from 8am and close around 10pm, later at weekends, according to Gulf News's October 2026 park guide. Here are eight places worth knowing, with what you pay and what you get.

At a glance

WhereRunEntryHours Al Barsha Pond Park, Al Barsha 21.5km soft loop, marked every 100mFreeFrom 8am Al Ittihad Park, Palm Jumeirah3.2km trackFree24 hours Al Mamzar Beach ParkAbout 4km lit, rubberised trackAED 5 per person; AED 30 per carFrom 8am Zabeel Park2.5km loop around the parkAED 5 per personFrom 8am Mushrif National Park, MirdifPark pathsAED 3 per person; AED 10 per carFrom 8am Safa Park, Al WaslPark pathsAED 3 per personFrom 8am Al Nahda Pond Park, Al Nahda 2Jogging trackFreeFrom 8am Dubai Hills ParkRunning tracksFree (attractions extra)Daily

The details

Al Barsha Pond Park is the easiest place to pace yourself: a 1,500m loop around a landscaped pond on a spongy surface, with markers every 100m. Entry is free. Dubai's oldest running club, Desert Road Runners, holds its midweek interval sessions here.

Al Mamzar Beach Park has the longest continuous track on this list. Dubai Municipality extended it by 2.2km to about 4km of 4m-wide rubberised track, with street lighting along its full length and markings every 50m. Entry is AED 5 per person, or AED 30 per car.

Zabeel Park, near the World Trade Centre, has a 2.5km jogging loop that encircles the park. Entry is AED 5; Gate 2 is one of the park's entrances.

Al Ittihad Park runs down the trunk of Palm Jumeirah with a 3.2km track. It is free and listed as open 24 hours, which makes it one of the few options before 8am.

Mushrif National Park in Mirdif has park paths for longer runs; entry is AED 3 per person or AED 10 per car.

Along the beach

Jumeirah Beach has jogging and walking tracks running from the Dubai Water Canal towards Umm Suqeim Park. Since February 2022 they sit alongside a separate 16km, 4m-wide RTA cycle track, so runners and cyclists don't share the same lane. Kite Beach, on this stretch, is where community clubs such as Jumeirah Johns Running Club meet.

Before you go

• Check holiday timings: park hours change on public holidays.
• Children aged two and under, and People of Determination, usually enter free.
• Carry water; not every track has fountains.
• Want company? Our Directory lists Dubai run clubs by area and meeting time, most of them free.

For general information. Fees, hours and facilities can change; check with Dubai Municipality or the park before you go.