Himam Trail Run Race 2025 to Kick off on This Date

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Oman’s premier trail-running event expands globally — 2025 edition promises record participation and routes across Al Hajar.

The Himam Trail Run Race 2025 is officially set to begin on 11 December, running through 13 December. Organisers confirm the event has entered its final countdown. This year’s edition promises to be the largest yet: an expected 4,500 runners from 68 countries are registered, marking a significant milestone in the race’s international growth. 

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Planning for the race has been extensive. Over recent months, teams carried out fieldwork across the dramatic terrain of the Al Hajar Mountains, refining routes, ensuring medical coordination, and coordinating with multiple civil and security agencies to guarantee safety across all race categories. 

A Demanding & Diverse Race Line-up

The 2025 edition features a range of races to challenge both elite and amateur runners:

  • The headline event is the Al Hajar ULTRA 120 KM, starting in Al Hamra, ascending through historic mountain trails toward the high plateaus of Jabal Akhdar, before descending into Birkat Al Mouz. The course is known for sharp elevation changes, technical single-track sections, narrow rocky passages and heritage-farming trails. 

  • On 12 December, runners will take on the Skyward Canyon 60 KM from Izki — a route through canyon paths, steep climbs, and exposed ridgelines typical of central Hajar terrain. 

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  • A new route, the Old Capital Trail 35 KM, originates around Nizwa — Oman’s historic capital. This course covers heritage paths, village tracks, date-palm groves and mountain foothills before finishing at Birkat Al Mouz. 

  • For those looking for a shorter challenge, the Scenic Sprint 20 KM offers a fast, accessible route from Birkat Al Mouz through scenic village and oasis landscapes.

High-Profile Elite Roster & Local Talent

The 2025 race has drawn an impressive list of elite athletes from across the globe. Among the men in the 120 KM ultra-distance are renowned endurance runners like Rachid El Morabity (Morocco), Theo Detienne (France), Mohammad Reza Jelodar (Iran), and others — veterans of global ultra-trail events. The women’s 120 KM field includes defending champion Maite Mayora (Spain) and Wenfei Xie (China), both well-known in the international mountain-running circuit.

Oman’s national contingent is also strong, with top runners such as Hamdan Al Khatri, Khalid Al Farsi, Khalid Al Hatmi, and others aiming to perform on home terrain. 

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Broad Institutional and Community Support

The race enjoys strong backing from both governmental and community organizations. Key sponsors and supporters include the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth. Security and emergency duties are to be handled by multiple agencies, including the Royal Oman Police, the Royal Air Force of Oman and the Sultan’s Armed Forces. 

Additional support will come from community and volunteer groups — including the Royal Omani Amateur Radio Society, local scouts and guides, and academic institutions such as the University of Nizwa — underscoring the event’s deep local engagement. 

The 2025 edition of the Himam Trail Run Race promises to combine high-stakes competition, cultural immersion and the raw beauty of Oman’s Al Hajar Mountains. With thousands of runners, challenging courses and a full support infrastructure, the countdown is on — starting 11 December.