MUSCAT: Oman Desert Marathon (ODM), Oman’s unique desert challenge marathon through the golden sands of Bidiyah, announced that its ninth edition will be held from January 20-24, 2024.
For the first time, the last edition of ODM had been recognised by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) so that the athletes got international ranking points for their participation.
The world trail running body had approved the race with 3 ITRA points, 1 Mountain point, and confirming the distance of 164.40 km with a positive 1570 m elevation gain.
First edition with the ITRA ranking points, the eighth ODM attracted some of the top runners.
“We are one of the top international desert marathons as ODM runs into the ninth edition. We hope to get more elite athletes joining the marathon than the last edition,” Said al Hajri, race owner and director of ODM, told the Observer.
Al Hajri said registrations would continue until one month before the competition.
“We are happy to confirm the dates in January and we hope good response from top athletes and trail runners,” he said.
The 165 km, self-sufficient four-stage race has been held in Oman’s spectacular deserts since 2013, and it presents runners with a great opportunity to course through the Sultanate of Oman’s unique landscape and enjoy its rich culture and world-renowned hospitality.
The race is divided into four stages: 42 km on day one, 55 km on day two, 47 km on day three, and 21 km on the fourth and final day.
The last edition saw good participation of Omani runners as well as athletes from Spain, France, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Poland, Britain, Belgium, Switzerland and Morocco.
BEAUTIFUL DUNES
In the eighth edition, Mohammed El Morabity, brother of six-time champion Rachid El Morabity, claimed the top spot in the men’s category with an overall time of 14 hours 13 minutes and 15 seconds.
Switzerland’s Corina Sommer took home the women’s prize with an overall time of 19 hours 39 minutes and 28 seconds.
“The dunes were beautiful, however the night race was a bit scary. I was on my own for so long that it made me pick up my speed. This was my first desert run as well as my first night run,” Sommer had said after the night race in the previous edition.
Morocco's TGCC team, which consisted of international champions Mohammed and Rachid El Morabity, emerged team champions.
Saleh al Saidi was the first Omani with a finishing time of 15:31:30.
Sami al Saidi and Hamdan al Khatri were in the top three in the section.
The 165 km desert run started on January 21 from Al Wasil Fort with 42 runners, and it ended in Jawharat Bidiyah Resort on January 24 with 37 runners, after five had quit during the race.
The race also included a children’s 2 km run, a 5 km run, and 10 km, which were run on day one.
In the ninth edition, which is taking place in Bidiyah as per ODM traditions, there will also be shorter races in addition to the main event, which will start one day earlier, on January 19. The shorter races are for distances of 10 km, 5 km and 2 km, which proved to be quite popular in the last edition.
Racers who wish to run longer distances of 42 km and 21 km will also have the chance to do so on January 20.
The perfect weather conditions in January help runners to enjoy the desert to the fullest. With an average high temperature of 25 degrees during the day, participants are sure to get an enjoyable experience that will forever be etched into their memories.
NIGHT DESERT RUN
For those in Muscat, there will also be a chance to participate in a night desert run, which will take place in October 2024 in Ghala. This will be the second edition of the 5 km Night Trail charity race, and it will give participants the unique opportunity to enjoy a run (or a walk) under the beautiful starlit desert sky. ODM donated 100 per cent of its profits to the Environment Society of Oman.
The 165 km Oman Desert Marathon Classic also has a night stage.
The route takes runners across the spectacular Omani land, with all its various landscapes, from the Al Wasil oasis and the vast desert to Jawharat Bidiyah Resort.
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