Over 1.2K Runners to Participate in Oman Desert Marathon
Elite and amateur athletes converge in Oman’s North A’Sharqiyah for a five-day desert endurance challenge.
- Publish date: Friday، 09 January 2026 Reading time: two min read
More than 1,200 runners and endurance athletes from the Sultanate of Oman and over 35 countries are set to take part in the 11th annual Oman Desert Marathon, which begins on Saturday, 10 January 2026, in the Wilayat of Bidiyah in the North A’Sharqiyah Governorate.
Organisers say that last-minute entries could push the total above 1,300 participants, as registration remains open through the start date. Said Mohammed Al Hajri, General Supervisor of the marathon and Chairman of the Oman Athletics Association confirmed the news.
Challenging Multi-Stage Race Through Iconic Desert
The five-day event, renowned as one of the most demanding desert running competitions in the world, kicks off from Al Wasil Village in Bidiyah, where runners will tackle shifting sands and towering dunes of the A’Sharqiyah desert. The full desert race spans approximately 165 kilometres, divided into multiple daily stages designed to test both physical endurance and mental resilience.
In addition to the flagship ultra-marathon, the event features a 100-kilometre desert walking challenge and a variety of other races to encourage broad participation. These include a 2-kilometre children’s run, a 5-kilometre community and family race, a 10-kilometre cross-country, a 21-kilometre half marathon and a standard 42-kilometre marathon tailored for both amateur and veteran athletes.
Runners will conclude their journey on the Arabian Sea shores at Qahid Village in the Wilayat of Ja’alan Bani Bu Hasan, South A’Sharqiyah Governorate, completing a dramatic transition from desert sands to coastal terrain.
Sporting Tourism and Global Recognition
The Oman Desert Marathon has earned a reputation as a premier international endurance event, attracting competitors of all levels and contributing to Oman’s stature as a destination for sports tourism and adventure racing.
Organisers highlight the significance of the marathon as more than a competition, it is a showcase of both athletic excellence and the natural beauty of Oman’s desert landscapes.
As runners and spectators gather for the 2026 edition, the marathon continues to foster global unity through sport while shining a spotlight on the challenging and varied terrain of the Sultanate’s deserts.