Over
1,200 Competitors Will Start Oman Desert Marathon in the Wilayat of Bidiyah

Bidiyah,
8 Jan 2026 (ONA) — This Saturday, 10 January, heralds the commencement of the
eleventh edition of Oman Desert Marathon 2026, set to unfold in the Wilayat of
Bidiyah within the North A’Sharqiyah Governorate. The event will witness the
participation of over 1,200 elite runners and endurance athletes from the
Sultanate of Oman and more than 35 nations across the globe.

Said
Mohammed Al Hajri, the General Supervisor of the Oman Desert Marathon and Chairman
of the Oman Athletics Association, announced that the marathon, a five-day
sporting spectacle, anticipates its final roster of competitors to surpass
1,300, with registration remaining open until the very day of the inaugural
start.

He
elaborated that the marathon will embark from Al Wasil Village in Bidiyah.
Participants will navigate a majestic and varied desert course, traversing the
iconic dunes of the A’Sharqiyah sands, before reaching their ultimate
destination on the shores of the Arabian Sea at Qahid Village in the Wilayat of
Ja’alan Bani Bu Hasan, South A’Sharqiyah Governorate.

The
premier challenge, he detailed, features a formidable 165-kilometer desert
running route, supplemented by a 100-kilometer desert walking trail, both
meticulously segmented across five demanding stages designed to test the
absolute limits of physical prowess and mental fortitude. The event’s inclusive
format also encompasses a 2-kilometer children’s race, a 5-kilometer community
and family race, a 10-kilometer cross-country race, a 21-kilometer
half-marathon, and a full 42-kilometer marathon for both professional and
amateur athletes.

It
is paramount to note that the Oman Desert Marathon 2026 transcends the realm of
mere athletic competition; it stands as a global proclamation of the Sultanate
of Oman’s distinguished capacity to host world-class international events. It
further cements the nation’s prestige as a preeminent destination for desert
sports and grand adventure, where the ultimate physical endeavor converges with
the spirit of exploration amidst the heart of the Omani wilderness—a status
amplified by the marathon’s official international accreditation.

—Ends/AG