About This Event
Set in Oman's striking Hajar Mountains, this UTMB World Series event takes runners through one of the Middle East's most dramatic and welcoming landscapes. The routes traverse ancient trails connecting historic forts, soaring peaks, deep canyons, and fertile oases, offering an authentic mountain running experience in a region known for its hospitality and cultural richness. From the historic city of Nizwa to the heights of Jabal Akhdar, through traditional villages like Al Hamra and Izki, and down to the palm groves of Birkat Al Mouz, runners experience raw Arabian beauty across terrain that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The event showcases Oman's unique position as one of the world's safest countries, where mountains, deserts, and sea converge within a single journey. Five distances cater to different ambitions and experience levels, each designed to highlight the distinctive character of the Hajar Mountains while maintaining UTMB's world-class standards for mountain trail running.
Choose Your Distance
21.5K
The shortest distance focuses on showcasing Oman's scenic beauty while maintaining the authentic mountain trail experience. This route provides an ideal introduction to both the event and the region's distinctive landscape and culture.
32K
The route traverses the Hajar Mountain range through a combination of historical trails and mountain paths. Runners move through varied terrain including rocky singletrack, village passages, and sections across exposed mountainside. The course connects traditional settlements, offering views across deep wadis and terraced agricultural zones. Technical sections require attention to footing on loose rock and uneven surfaces typical of mountain trails in arid regions.
50K
The 50K route navigates mixed terrain throughout the Hajar Mountains, combining technical rocky sections with more runnable passages through agricultural valleys. Runners should expect varied footing that includes stone paths, compacted trail, and occasional loose rock, with the course transitioning between exposed mountain terrain and shaded wadi systems. The mixed designation reflects the diversity of surfaces encountered, from traditional footpaths to natural mountain trail.
103K
The course winds through the Hajar Mountains, Oman's primary mountain range that runs parallel to the Gulf of Oman coast. Runners encounter terrain that ranges from well-defined mountain paths to rocky, technical sections requiring careful foot placement. The route passes through traditional mountain villages and follows ancient trade routes that have connected these settlements for centuries. Water crossings through wadis may be dry or flowing depending on recent rainfall patterns in the region.
154K
The route traverses the spine of the Hajar Mountains, linking villages and following traditional footpaths that date back centuries. Much of the course runs across exposed terrain where navigation and weather awareness become essential skills. Rocky technical sections alternate with runnable stretches, though the term 'runnable' is relative in this environment—heat, altitude, and cumulative fatigue reshape what's possible as the hours accumulate.