Ninth edition of Oman Desert Marathon launched

Muscat: With the participation of more than 700 world-class running champions, the “Oman Desert Marathon” kicked off yesterday in the state of Bidiya in the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate in its ninth edition and will last for three days.

 The marathon comes within the North Al Sharqiyah Winter 2024 events and activities calendar and is organised by the North Al Sharqiyah Governorate. It is divided into four stages and is 165 km long, starting from the village of Al Wasil in the Wilayat of Bidiya and passing through the vast sands of Al Sharqiyah.

Competitors from various world countries, such as Morocco, Spain, France, Ukraine, Italy, Germany, Poland, Britain, Switzerland and Belgium, participate in it, in addition to participants from the Sultanate of Oman and different age groups.

His Excellency the Governor of North Al Sharqiyah, said: "The marathon is one of the most important events within the North Al Sharqiyah Winter Program 2024, noting that its importance lies in its continuation of nine consecutive editions and the wide participation of running champions in various countries of the world, and this confirms the importance of the event as a sporting, touristic, economic, and global event."

Saeed bin Mohammed Al Hajri, the general supervisor of the marathon, explained that the marathon coincides with the winter season, which witnesses rare community, tourism and entertainment interaction during this period every year, indicating that the marathon includes four stages during the period from 20 to 24 January, totalling to a distance of 165 km.

The first stage is a distance of 42 km, the second stage is a distance of 55 km, and the third stage is a distance of 47 km. The race of this stage is held at night, in addition to the fourth and final stage, a distance of 21 km.

 Al-Hajri stressed that in addition to the classic desert race, a number of short races will be held with distances varying between 2, 5, 10, 21, and 42 km. These races, the cross-country race, the half marathon race, and the marathon race, are designated for children and families, respectively.