Oman Desert Marathon to kick off on National Day
MUSCAT: More than 100 runners from 27 nations across the world will arrive in Oman to take part in the fifth edition of the Oman Desert Marathon, which begins on National Day. The first of the 131 runners are already in Oman and have begun their final preparations for this challenge, which is considered one of the most punishing and challenging endurance races in the world.
The six-day race will begin on November 18 at Al Wasil oasis in the town of Bidiyah Saturday morning and will conclude on the shores of the Arabian Sea. The race course is 165km long and is spread across six stretches of varying length — 25km, 20km, 27km, 28km, 42km and 23km — with each of these encompassing a variety of landscapes, ranging from the sandy dunes of the Arabian desert to the verdant surroundings of the wadis, thereby presenting a series of challenges to the runners to test their skill and endurance.
Sami Al Saidi, Oman’s best long-distance runner, and Mohammed El Morabity, who, together with his brother Rachid, is considered one of the best among the world’s endurance athletes, are expected to lead the racers.
“It is an honour to participate in this race, but I wish my brother was here alongside me,” said El Morabity. “Unfortunately, he is injured, so I will have to do my best for both of us. Being a long- distance endurance runner is not easy, and many of my friends ask me why I do this, but the simple answer is that this is my passion.
“I have to make many sacrifices, because I cannot always eat what I want, whenever I want, even when my friends ask me to go out with them for pizza, because my body needs to be conditioned to last for long periods,” he added. Full story @ timesofoman.com/oman