Friday 09 / January / 2026
Bidiyah: 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.
