Petra Desert Marathon & Half 2023

Inclusions

• 5 nights’ accommodation
• Meet n greet on arrival
• Arrival transfer
• 4 scheduled departure transfer
• Transportation as per itinerary
• English speaking tour leader
• 3-days entry to Petra
• Meals according to itinerary
• Celebration Dinner

Also Available:

• Race entry > Prices and options below
• Additional tours and excursions listed below

Event Entries

• Marathon or half-marathon : £227

Race entry includes:

• English-speaking race officials
• Medical team
• Official Race T-shirt, Time taking and medal
• Supplies on the route

Extensions and Excursions

• 4-7th September – Adventure Extension 
• 4-7th September – Cultural Extension
• Petra Kitchen - £36
• Petra by Night - £50

30 August 2022: Arrival in Jordan and Transfer to The Dead Sea

Upon arrival, our airport representative will meet you in the arrivals hall to take you to your hotel at the Dead Sea. After check-in you have the rest of the day/evening free to enjoy the pool and the beach on your own.

Please note that many flights to Amman arrive at night time. Hotel check in is normally at 15:00 in the afternoon, so if you arrive in the night and want your room available upon arrival we recommend that you book a pre-night. The airport representative is also available for pre-night arrivals and participants also have transfer to the Dead Sea included for pre-night bookings.

Meals: Not included

31 August 2022: The Dead Sea

Race officials will provide all participants with a race briefing on the evening of 3 September, which will cover everything from a preliminary weather forecast to a brief presentation of the important route notes. Participants will also collect their goodie bags at the briefing. 

Wake up at the Dead Sea – the lowest point on Earth – and start the day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Today will be all about winding down and relaxing by the pool or floating on the surface of the Dead Sea, which is sometimes considered the largest spa in the world, due to its healing properties. It is only fair you get to spend the whole day immersed in this magical place. It is the perfect way to mentally prepare yourself for the challenge ahead.

Meals: Breakfast

01 September 2022: Dead Sea to Petra. Race briefing and Pasta Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll take a long drive to Wadi Musa (Petra), approximately 6 hours to enjoy the views from the window. Upon arrival, you’ll have lunch at a local restaurant, before checking into your next hotel, the perfect location to get out and explore the illustrious “Red Rose City of Petra.” As the sun sets all runners will meet at tomorrow’s finish area, where the race officials and medical team will give the race briefing. Participants will also collect their goodie bags at the briefing. In the evening, carbo-load with a pasta dinner served at your hotel restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

02 September 2022: Race day

Today is the day we have all been waiting for! After an early wakeup call and a light continental breakfast, all runners will walk together through the Siq to the start line at the Street of Facades. As Petra is not open to the public at that time of day, runners will get the unique experience of seeing Petra without the crowds.

Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch

03 September 2022: Petra and Celebration Dinner

Today, explore Petra's full glory. After breakfast, you will walk to Petra Visitor's Center for a guided tour of the site, on foot, and learn about the impressive history of yesterday’s starting point. The main entrance to the historical and archeological city of Petra is the Siq. With walls rising up to 200 metres in height, this narrow gorge, split apart by tectonic forces, winds its way 1.2 km through the mountains and ends at Petra's most elaborate temple, the Treasury. After lunch you have free time, opt to try the Turkish baths and spas or enjoy on of the local restaurants. In the evening, all participants will head to the desert for a festive celebration dinner. Dine, drink, and dance under the stars.

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

04 September 2022: Farewell Jordan or Hello Extension

Sadly, your Jordan adventure has come to end. it is time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Checkout from the hotel must be completed before 12:00 (noon). All participants are transferred to Queen Alia International Airport in Amman.

Four transfers are available with ARRIVAL times at the airport on 5 September as follows: 05:00, 08:00, 13:00 and 18:00.

It is possible to book a different transfer to Queen Alia International Airport if the above scheduled group transfers don't fit your onward journey (extra charge).

Participants who book one of the extensions will start their adventure after breakfast today.

Meals: Breakfast

On Request bookings

Request Bookings will confirm that you have accepted our Booking Conditions.  Your booking is not however, guaranteed until our partner company confirms availability. Please expect confirmation of place within 1-3 days of making your booking. Your card payment details will still be required for the deposit to secure your space, though please be advised this information will be held securely, and the card will only be debited upon confirmation of booking. 

Surface

The route is run on a mixture of gravel and paved roads. The surface in the desert sections is sand with loose rocks.

Disclaimer

Albatros Adventure Marathons reserve the right to change the itinerary and/or running course without further notice in the event of extreme weather.

By signing up for this event you agree to the Terms & Conditions.

Visa

Please note that it is each traveler’s responsibility to check visa and passport requirements and ensure that they comply. Obtaining a passport and, if required, a visa, is solely the responsibility of each traveler. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after returning from your destination. 

A visa is required for all travelers entering Jordan. Most nationalities can obtain the visa upon arrival at Amman airport at a cost of JOD 40. Note that cash payment is required. USD is accepted corresponding to the exchange rate at the time of entry. Kindly be advised that certain nationalities require an entry visa to be obtained PRIOR to travel. Please check with the FCO. 

Room options

If you are a solo traveller and choose a shared double room when booking, we will pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If you prefer to have your own room, choose single room. A single supplement will apply.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is an essential part of any holiday you take, and we highly recommend that you purchase suitable insurance for your trip.

The roads are not closed for traffic. Although traffic is not heavy in the area, please be aware whenever running on asphalt roads. We advise you to run on the left side of the road, so you can see any vehicles coming towards you.

Surface

The route is run on a mixture of gravel and paved roads. The surface in the desert sections is sand with loose rocks.

A pocket of peace in the middle of an otherwise turbulent region, Jordan offers safe passage to experience the magic of the Levant.

From a lavish town of ruins hidden in the middle of the desert to a giant salt lake where one can float like a leaf, there are adventures galore in this middle eastern gem. Adventurous travelers can explore the desert of Wadi Rum – made famous by Lawrence of Arabia – or discover the living biblical history in the heart of The Holy Land. Add to that delicious cuisine and exceptionally hospitable people, and Jordan is a journey worth taking.

Age limits

Full marathon runners must be at least 18 years old on race day.

Half marathon runners must be at least 16 years old.

Clothing

 It is recommended that participants run in light-weight, light-coloured clothing.

To prevent heatstroke, consider ways to keep direct sun off your skin - in that sense, a T-shirt offers better protection than a sleeveless shirt, but it is of course an personal choice. In all cases, we strongly recommend the use of sunscreen with high protection and a cap. One might also consider a buff or a bandana to keep sun off the back of your neck (plus, you can get it wet at the water stations to get a cooling effect). 

There are no clothing restrictions, so women and men alike can run in shorts, tights, tank tops etc. As Petra is largely tourist destination, locals in the area are more used to seeing shorts than locals in some other parts of the country.

Awards and medal

All finishers receive a medal. A small, symbolic prize is given to the winners for men and women. Please note that there is no prize money.

Time limit

All runners have 7 hours from start time to complete their race, regardless of distance. Runners still on the route after the time limit will be picked up by a race official or medical car and driven back to the finish area.

Five hours after the start, however, the marathon route closes at the 31km mark (10km mark for the half marathon) meaning that runners who haven’t passed this point at 11:30 will not be permitted to finish the race.

Weather

With temperatures as high as 35°C / 95°F and a hilly, desert route offering very little shade, the Petra Desert Marathon is an arduous race. Participants should be ready to deal with heat and remember - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Start / Finish

For the start, all runners must meet at the Petra Visitor Centre from where we walk the 2.5 kilometers through the Siq and past the Treasury to the start line at the Street of Facades. The race starts at 6:30AM, which means runners need to meet at the Visitor Center at 5:15. 

The finish line is located near the Petra Visitor Centre within walking distance of the Mövenpick Resort, Petra Palace, Petra Guest House, and Edom hotels.

All runners who complete the marathon or half-marathon within the time limit will receive a medal after crossing the finish line. Water and a sandwich lunch pack are given to all participants. Checked-in bags can be picked up at the bag check-out area.

Route Description

From the start line in the Street of Facades, the route goes through the ancient city of Petra and right away you will find yourself surrounded with tombs, caves, and monasteries carved in the mountainsides. A 2 km uphill section on a paved road leads runners out of the Petra Archaeological Park boundaries and, via the main road, towards the desert on hilly tarmac road.

After 6 kilometres, the route leaves the asphalt road and continues into the desert. Half-marathon runners take the direct way to the river bed gorge “Siq Al Bard,” while marathon runners have to do a loop around the hilltop “Al Musirh.” Leaving Siq al Bard at Little Petra, the route goes back on the tarmac road heading towards the village of Ammarine.

Half-marathon runners continue straight through the village while marathon runners, just before the village, turn left on the road leading to Wadi Araba to do a 8 km back-tracking stretch that will take you past incredible rock formations that only a few tourists visit.

When passing the 30 km mark, full marathon runners find themselves back at Ammarine village and merge again with the half marathon course. From here, the route goes uphill to a mountain ridge for the next 5 kilometres, but the strenuous efforts are rewarded with an astonishing view over most of the marathon route, the mountains covering Petra and on clear days even Israel can be seen. On this mountain ridge the surface becomes gravel for the next 3 km. The final 4 km is steep downhill running on paved roads towards the finish line.

There will be no race pacers at this event.