165 km Race or 100 Km?

Oman Desert Marathon provides participants with a true experience of living in the desert, this vast expanse of stunning beauty and breathtaking imagination to implement a unique physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of a lifetime.

You can decide if you want to run or hike, both events require each runner to be prepared and self-sufficient in food and personal needs. It is a sport to learn patience and challenge, a sport of excitement and suspense, a sport of adventure and strength. The race and hike both start in front of the historical forts and castle in the village of Al-Wasil in the Wilayat of Bidiyah and end at the Al Jawharat Resort.

The five stages will take the contestants through different miles of attractive charm and aesthetic diversity in the topography and terrain, starting with history and civilization with historical forts and castles, passing through green palm oases and lush shades and then dunes where the stages of the race pass through the dwellings of the nomads who still follow the grazing roads, in the desert of Oman.

The difference between both events is in the kilometers to cover per day, the 165 km race will cover 42 km, 32 km, 40 km, 30 km, and 21 km in five stages, while the 100 km hike will cover approximately 20 km each day during the five stages.

As for the night stage, it has a special magic runners will enjoy the desert its splendor, beauty, and charm, which captivates the hearts to take you little by little to darkness, isolation, calmness, silence, and the fragrance of the winds, with the radiance of millions of twinkling stars that captivate you with their beauty.

Program for both events

17 January (Arrival And Admin Day)
18th January – 42 Km / 20 Km – 1st Stage
19th January – 32 Km /20 Km – 2nd Stage
20th January – 40 Km /20 Km – 3rd Stage
21st January – 30 Km / 19 Km – 4th Stage
22nd January – 21 Km / 21 Km – 5th Stage
23 January (Departure to Muscat Airport)

• By what time should I arrive at the event venue?

  You should arrive the 17th January in the morning to be able to catch the Shuttle Bus Service that departs at 11:00 am to the desert
  
  EVENT PROGRAM 2025
  January 17th (Arrival)
  9.00-11.00 Welcome at the arrivals area of Muscat Airport.
  Shuttle Bus Service departs from the airport : 11.00.
  13.00 Lunch at Al Jawharat Resort in Bidiyah
  16.00 Bib distribution
  18.30 Briefing
  19.30 Dinner

• What are the start time(s) of the event?

  It EVENT PROGRAM 2025
  January 17th (Arrival)
  9.00-11.00 Welcome at the arrivals area of Muscat Airport.
  Shuttle Bus Service departs from airport at 11:00 am
  
  January 18th (Stage 1) 42 Km 07.30 Race starts
  January 19th (Stage 2) 32 Km 6.00 Race starts
  January 20th (Stage 3) 40 Km 6.00 Race starts
  January 21st (Stage 4) 30 Km (Night Stage)
  15.00 Race starts for 1st group
  16.00 Race starts for 2nd group
  17.00 Race starts for 3rd group
  January 22nd (Stage 5) 21 Km 08.00 Race starts

• Where do I go for the event?

  Runners will be transported from the hotel to the star line by Al Wasil Fort

• Race Pack / Number collection details?

  EVENT PROGRAM 2025
  January 17th (Arrival)
  9.00-11.00 Welcome at the arrivals area of Muscat Airport.
  Shuttle Bus Service departs from the airport : 11.00.
  13.00 Lunch at Al Jawharat Resort in Bidiyah
  16.00 Bib distribution
  18.30 Briefing
  19.30 Dinner

• Are there bag drop facilities?

  Yes, you can leave all you are not taking with you in the desert run at your room, the hotel will number it and storage safely, it will be in your room as you come back from the desert.

• Will there be support stations? If yes, how many, where, providing what support?

  Bottled mineral water will be provided at each checkpoint, they will be placed at approximately 10 km intervals. These are mandatory passages where each runner’s arrival will be recorded. Medical support will be present near the checkpoint in case advice or treatment is required.

• Where can I find the results to the event?

  The results will be posted in our website and social media daily

• What equipment do I need?

  Art.12 :COMPULSORY EQUIPMENTS FOR PARTICIPANTS
  
  FOOD
  Each competitor must have enough food for 5 days, with a minimum of 2000 calories per day or 10.000 calories in total.
  
  SURVIVAL GEAR
  
  Sand Gaiters
  Backpack
  Sleeping bag
  Anti-venom pump
  Metal Knife
  Antiseptic
  Signaling mirror
  Salt tablets or equivalent
  Whistle
  Space blanket
  1 fully charged headlamp with spare batteries
  First aid kit with plasters, bandage, scissors, ointment
  Euro 200 in cash (100 OMR)

• What do I eat during the race?

  In the desert every single planned caloric intake is crucial. If you don’t underestimate those aspects and you plan carefully your meals you will not have any problem in finishing the race, and you will be in the best conditions to enjoy the beauty and magic of the desert.
  
  Follow these 7 steps guide to choose your food:
  
  Follow the race rules. The rules are stating that you need food for 4 days and a minimum of 12.000 kcal. This means an average of 2.000 kcal per day. This amount is the minimum required to participate in the race, however, your calorie needs might be much more. The fatigue and the heat will reduce your appetite and there is a risk of not eating enough food. Before the race, try to keep a diary of what you eat and of your weekly calorie intake. On the web there are many apps for that, do it for a week of intense training. This will give you a fairly precise idea of how many calories you need and how you feel with that amount of food.
  Eat all the time. Don’t plan a sing