Athletics: Oman Desert Marathon to attract athletes from across the world

Muscat: Extreme sports lovers from across the globe will descend on Oman when the fifth edition of Oman Desert Marathon, the ultimate desert race on earth, returns to the Sultanate in November this year.
The much looked forward to marathon, which the organisers have described as ‘probably the most uncompromising and merciless footrace on the planet’, is scheduled to take place from November 16 to 25.
According to the Oman Desert Marathon officials, the 165km race has been growing in popularity over the years and the 2017 edition is expected to attract more than 150 runners from 16 countries, all of whom will be eagerly waiting to experience a unique adventure in the breathtaking terrain of the Oman Desert.
Said Mohammed Al Hajri, Founder of Oman Desert Marathon, said: “The Oman Desert Marathon course is designed to embrace the real desert experience and there’s nothing else like it. Oman is a country filled with beauty, with awe-inspiring mountains, desert dunes and wadis, as well as being home to some of the best diving in the world. For those marathon runners who are looking for a new and unique experience, this is the one.”
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With its vast expanse of awe-inspiring beauty and set against magnificent backdrop of golden sand dunes, the marathon offers runners a physical, emotional and spiritual experience of a lifetime.
Starting from the Al Wasil Oasis of Bidiyah, the race comprises of six stages of 21km, 24km, 26km, 28km, 42km and 24km and takes the runners into the Oman Desert with a variety of landscapes, from mountains to the Arabian Sea, and sand conditions giving the runner a complete desert experience.
Runners will pass semi nomadic tribes, who still follow the Silk Route through the Oman Desert, wildlife and stunning sunsets as well as a night stage,where they will experience the magic of the desert illuminated by the stars, and then finish the race with an explosion of emotion when they arrive at the beautiful shores of the Arabian Sea.
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“All competitors have to be completely self-sufficient, requiring to carry all of their own equipment except for water, which will be provided at checkpoints at approximately every 10-km intervals. Carrying all they need for six days is an enormous challenge, more so than running 165 kms, and this is fundamental to the experience of the authentic desert life,” the organisers said.
Those who want to experience the ultimate desert marathon may register their entries on www.marathonoman.com. The entry fee is 1,200 Euros.