Algerian Radio
The third edition of the "Algiers Urban Trail 2026," scheduled for Friday, June 26, starting at 6:30 PM, is expected to see a record participation of 10,000 runners, organizers announced Sunday evening.
Speaking at the event’s presentation ceremony held in central Algiers, the president of the Algiers Ski and Mountain Sports League (LASSM), Youcef Benbessi, indicated that "this edition will see a considerable increase in the number of participants, rising to 10,000 runners, compared to 3,000 in the previous edition and only 1,000 in the first."
He specified that participants will come from different wilayas across the country, as well as from the national community abroad and several foreign countries. "What distinguishes this edition is that registrations for the 10,000 participants were closed in just 24 hours," he emphasized.
Regarding the route, Mr. Benbessi explained that organizers chose to keep it secret to surprise the participants, who will discover it on race day. However, he assured that runners will pass several iconic sites in the capital over a total distance of 19.7 kilometers. To ensure the event's success, approximately 3,000 organizers will be mobilized.
The safety dispositif will include 80 doctors, 300 first-aid workers, and 20 ambulances, six of which are equipped with specialized medical equipment. First-aid stations will be set up every two kilometers, in addition to fixed and mobile advanced medical centers and seven hydration points providing mineral water and fruit.
The start will be given from "Marina" beach at Sablettes Park, while the finish is planned at Maqam Echahid (the Martyrs' Memorial). The race will be divided into five waves: elite athletes will start at 6:30 PM, followed by the "fast" categories at 6:32 PM, "semi-fast" categories at 6:36 PM, "semi-leisure" participants at 6:46 PM, and finally the general public starting at 7:00 PM.
According to Mr. Benbessi, the event will also feature several cultural, sporting, and youth-oriented activities, with many surprises on the program. The 3rd edition of the Algiers Urban Trail 2026 has acquired an international dimension, allowing it, according to the speaker, to position itself among the leading urban racing events.
"The objective is not limited to the sporting aspect but also encompasses tourist, cultural, and historical dimensions by promoting the main sites and monuments of Algiers," he stated.
For his part, the Director of Youth and Sports for the Algiers wilaya, Amine Saâd, stated that this event is among the most important organized in the capital. According to him, it aims to highlight the historical and tourist heritage of Algiers while strengthening its international profile through the participation of foreign runners traveling specifically for the race. He also noted that the number of participants has risen significantly and that they will discover new historical sites that will serve as a true surprise.
Ali Mokrani, advisor to the Minister and Wali of the Algiers wilaya, emphasized that this event goes beyond the purely sporting framework as it also serves as a tool for the tourist, cultural, and historical promotion of the capital. He reminded that participants will run through several major Algiers thoroughfares named after martyrs of the National Liberation War, as well as numerous cultural sites, tourist landmarks, and museums.
Referring to the previous edition, he indicated that it had generated strong interest among the national community living abroad due to the exceptional atmosphere throughout the race, which allowed participants to discover the beauty of the capital.
"This is a source of pride and contributes to the ambition of making Algiers one of the great metropolises of the Mediterranean basin," he added, calling on citizens to gather along the capital's streets to encourage the runners throughout the course.
Organizers also announced that participant bibs, featuring identification numbers, will be distributed starting Monday.
The 3rd edition of the Algiers Urban Trail 2026 is organized by the Algiers wilaya Ski and Mountain Sports League, in coordination with the Algiers wilaya Youth and Sports Directorate, under the patronage of the Minister and Wali of the Algiers wilaya, Mohamed Abdennour Rebhi.
