Namibia Ultra Marathon is a 250km / 5 stages ultra marathon in Sossusvlei, Namibia. Distance: 250km. Elevation: 2,000m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 53/100). DNF rate: 15%. Time limit: 50h. Surface: sand. Established 2015.
Namibia Ultra Marathon
Sossusvlei, Hardap, Namibia
"250km through the world's oldest desert — red dunes and Deadvlei."
A 5-stage self-supported race through the Namib Desert.
The Course
A multi-stage self-supported ultra through the Namib Desert — the world's oldest desert, where 300m-high dunes meet the Skeleton Coast. The route crosses the vast gravel plains of the Namib-Naukluft, skirts the edges of Sossusvlei's iconic red dunes, and traverses ancient dry riverbeds where desert-adapted elephants still roam. Runners carry their own food and equipment between desert camps, navigating by GPS waypoint through terrain that hasn't changed in 55 million years.
rolling
point-to-point
3
Runner Experience
Self-supported race — runners carry all supplies. Checkpoints for timing and safety only.
Intimate finish in a remote setting. The camaraderie of shared hardship creates deep bonds between finishers.
Race Day Weather
25°C
8° – 38°
10%
2%
Namib Desert autumn — extremely hot days, cold nights.
Stats & Records
2015
80
42:00:00
30:15:00
Thabang Madiba (2023)
38:45:00
Mapaseka Makhanya (2022)
Entry
$3000
July
months
Lore & Trivia
Namibia's desert ultra taps into the raw, primordial landscape of the world's oldest desert. The Namib has been arid for 55-80 million years — long enough for unique species like the fog-basking beetle and the welwitschia plant (some specimens are 2,000 years old) to evolve. Running here strips away every comfort of civilisation. The silence is absolute. The stars at night are overwhelming — Namibia has some of the darkest skies on earth. The race attracts desert running specialists who seek the most remote, least-populated landscapes on the planet.
- ▸ The Namib Desert is estimated to be 55-80 million years old.
- ▸ Sossusvlei's red dunes reach 300m in height.
- ▸ The race passes Deadvlei, the surreal clay pan with 900-year-old dead trees.
The Namib has been a desert for 55 million years. You feel every one of those years in the silence.
Notable Editions
Thabang Madiba's South African Record
South African Thabang Madiba dominated the Namibia Ultra, setting a course record that demonstrated the growing strength of Southern African ultra running.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Namibia Ultra Marathon? +
Namibia Ultra Marathon is a 250km / 5 stages (250km) ultra marathon with 2,000m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on sand terrain.
How hard is Namibia Ultra Marathon? +
Namibia Ultra Marathon is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 53/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 15%. Runners have 50 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Namibia Ultra Marathon? +
Average temperature is 25°C (range 8°C to 38°C) with 10% humidity and a 2% chance of rain. Namib Desert autumn — extremely hot days, cold nights.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Namibia Ultra Marathon? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the course record for Namibia Ultra Marathon? +
The men's course record is 30:15:00 set by Thabang Madiba in 2023. The women's course record is 38:45:00 set by Mapaseka Makhanya in 2022.
What is the average finish time for Namibia Ultra Marathon? +
The average finish time is 42:00:00. About 80 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 15%.
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