News Desk
MALE’ — The Maldives ran with the world last Saturday. On 23 May, Hulhumale hosted the country’s first ever edition of the OneRun Global International Half Marathon, joining runners across more than 35 countries in a single synchronized start.
An estimated 250,000 runners took to streets simultaneously around the world as part of OneRun Global, a road-running series that holds two Guinness World Records, set in 2020 and 2021, for the largest half marathon with a synchronized start. The Maldives, represented by WeRun Maldives as the official national partner, made its debut on that stage along Hulhumale’s seafront routes.
Participants had a choice of distances. The full 21.1 kilometre half marathon, a 10 kilometre run, a 5 kilometre run and a one kilometre children’s race. The format was designed to bring in runners of all levels, from those chasing a personal best to first-timers who had never crossed a finish line.
WeRun Maldives, the community running organisation behind the event, has been building a running culture in the Maldives through local races and community events for several years. The OneRun partnership is its most significant step yet, placing the country on an international running calendar alongside cities and communities across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.
OneRun Global was founded in 2017 and has grown into one of the most recognised mass participation running events in the world. The 2026 edition was its largest to date.
For those who missed it, registration for next year is worth watching. For those who ran, they were part of something that crossed 35 countries in the same hour on the same morning.
Registration details and event updates are available at werunmaldives.com.
