MUSCAT: The Oman Desert Marathon has confirmed that it will be returning for its 5th year from November 17 to 25, and registration is now open.
Known as probably the most uncompromising and merciless footrace on the planet, the Oman Desert Marathon covers 165 km and requires each runner to be completely self-sufficient.
Rising in popularity year-on-year, the Oman Desert Marathon attracts over 150 runners from 16 different countries to take part in a unique adventure in the breathtaking terrain of the Oman Desert. With its vast expanse of awe-inspiring beauty and set against magnificent backdrop of golden sand dunes, the marathon offers runners a physical, emotional and spiritual experience of a lifetime.
Starting from the Alwasil Oasis of Bidiyah, the race comprises of six stages of 21 km, 24 km, 26 km, 28 km, 42 km and 24 km and takes the runners into the Oman Desert with a variety of landscapes, from mountains to the Arabian Sea and sand conditions, giving the runner a complete desert experience.
Runners will pass semi nomadic tribes who still follow the Silk Route through the Oman Desert, wildlife and stunning sunsets as well as a night stage, where they will experience the magic of the desert illuminated by the stars, and finish the race with an explosion of emotion when they arrive at the beautiful shores of the Arabian Sea. Said bin Mohammed al Hajri, Founder of Oman Desert Marathon said: “The Oman Desert Marathon course is designed to embrace the real desert experience and there’s nothing else like it. Oman is a country filled with beauty; with awe-inspiring mountains, desert dunes and wadis, as well as being home to some of the best diving in the world. For those marathon runners who are looking for a new and unique experience, this is the one.”
All runners are completely self-sufficient, requiring them to carry all of their own equipment except for water, which is provided at checkpoints at approximately every 10 km intervals. Carrying all they need for six days is an enormous challenge, more so than running 165 km, and this is fundamental to the experience of the authentic desert life.
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