Oman Desert Marathon

The Oman Desert Marathon returns in 2022 after a two-year hiatus. In this interview series, Ahotu will be speaking with the people behind some of the most unique races across the globe. We’ll be discussing the history of the event, challenges and how to overcome them, attracting sponsors, reaching new runners and more! Thanks for joining us, Rigel. We’ve worked with you and the Oman Desert Marathon for a while now, but for those who aren’t familiar, could you introduce the race and your role behind the scenes? The Oman Desert Marathon is a 165km race that requires each runner to be prepared and self-sufficient in food and personal needs. A true experience of living in the desert. The four stages of the race take participants through a range of topographies and varying terrain. After taking part in 2018, I fell in love with the race and since then I have been involved as a volunteer and more recently as project manager. I know the race from the runner’s perspective and also behind the scenes supporting the race owner in all that needs to be done. I must say that making sure the event is a success is as hard as running in the desert, or even harder! How long has the race been taking place and how did it start? The first edition was in November 2013. The inaugural event had 25 runners from 7 countries. The 2023 edition will be special as it is the 10-year anniversary and the first race after an enforced two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we expect over 100 runners from all over the globe. The race covers 165km over remote desert terrain. What challenges does this present for you as organizers? The desert is very unpredictable and no edition of the race is the same. The harsh conditions make the race very challenging for both organizers and participants. Luckily we have an amazing crew of experienced local and international staff that help us deliver a safe and unique race. One of the hardest aspects for us as organizers is the mobility on the sand dunes during the event. We have to move the camp every day and make sure everything is set up ready before runners arrive, it’s a race against the clock. Marking the route before the race is an adventure in itself. It can be very challenging to drive in the desert, even the route team (which is made up of locals experienced in navigating and driving in the desert) can face trouble, sometimes the desert will catch you out! When a vehicle gets stuck, it is a lot of work to get moving again. Even experienced desert drivers can get caught out by the shifting terrain How many runners typically take part and where do they come from? Usually, we have more than 100 runners from different nationalities, we have a lot of runners from Europe, but we have had people from all corners of the world and we love seeing a wide range of countries represented! 330ft Sand dunes tower above runners on the Oman Desert Marathon course Given the race takes place over a few days and you have an entire camp for participants, how many people are involved in putting on the event during race week? More than 40 people including staff, drivers, medics, photographers, cooks and volunteers. It takes a small army of fully committed people that love the desert and the race atmosphere! They’re all there to make sure participants are safe and make the most of their time in Oman. What can participants expect from their time in Oman? The race provides participants with a truly unique experience in one of the most beautiful parts of the Arabian Peninsula. The Oman Desert Marathon also has a program for guests who wish to follow the marathon closely, especially for relatives and friends of the runners. Guests will be staying separately from the runners, therefore we can offer a full program for them to enjoy the trip and Oman with the support of our travel partner. As runners cross the finish line at the Al Jawharat Resort in Bidiyah they’ll enjoy an unrivalled sense of accomplishment as they receive their finisher’s medal & T-shirt before enjoying the prize giving ceremony in the knowledge that they have conquered the sand dunes of the Wahiba desert. What plans do you have for the Oman Desert Marathon for the coming years? We have a lot planned for the next few years. Of course, we want to become a well-known brand/race and continue to be a runner’s favourite. We are also working on a new non-stop race from the sea, crossing the mountains and further into the Omani desert. A 250km race which will be launching during the Oman Desert Marathon 2024. Are there any partners / companies who support the event that you would like to highlight? This event is fully organized by Omani’s with the collaboration of international partners. We are lucky to have the support of local communities and of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Sports Affairs, are also hugely supportive and valued partners of the event. Our sponsors and partners all make the Oman Desert Marathon a safe race in a beautiful and unique environment, with the authentic taste of an event designed and managed by those who are born and live in Oman. When is the next edition taking place and where can our audience find out more information about the event? The 8th edition of the Oman Desert Marathon, will be held in January 2023 – from the 21st – 24th. January offers participants the perfect conditions to enjoy the race to the fullest, with daytime temperatures in the mid 20’s and nighttime temperatures around 17c. In this next edition, the stage distances will be 47km, 55km, 42km and 21km. Runners can visit our website for more information or follow us on Instagram @marathonoman! Entries are open on our website and World’s Marathons – https://worldsmarathons.com/marathon/oman-desert-marathon We are very excited to show runners from all over the world the beauty of Oman and the Wahiba desert! Thanks for speaking with us Rigel, best of luck with the next edition of the race. We look forward to watching the race continue to grow and for the launch of the new non-stop event in 2024! Interested in taking part? You can register for the Oman Desert Marathon on Ahotu – Oman Desert Marathon To feature in our interview series you can drop us an email on [email protected] Interested in promoting your race with World’s Marathons or Ahotu? Contact us on [email protected]