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Oman by UTMB is a 137km ultra marathon in Nizwa, Oman. Distance: 137km. Elevation: 7,900m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 63/100). DNF rate: 25%. Time limit: 40h. Surface: trail. Established 2018.

137km brutal utmb-series mountainous trail desert

Oman by UTMB

Nizwa, Ad Dakhiliyah, Oman

"137km through Oman's desert mountains. Wadis, ridgelines, and ancient villages in the Al Hajar range."

63
Demanding
Distance 137km
Elevation Gain ↑7,900m
Surface trail
DNF Rate 25%
Cutoff 40h
What Makes It Unique

UTMB in the desert — a 137km mountain ultra through Oman's dramatic wadis and ridgelines in the Al Hajar range.

The Course

A demanding traverse of Oman's Al Hajar mountains. The course runs through dramatic wadis (desert canyons), along exposed ridgelines, and through ancient mountain villages. Rocky, technical terrain with significant navigation challenges in a Middle Eastern desert mountain setting.

Profile

mountainous

Topology

point-to-point

Aid Stations

8

ITRA Points

6

No Crew Access
No Pacers
Yes Mandatory Gear

Runner Experience

Scenery 5/5
Organization 4/5
Community 3/5
Aid Stations

UTMB-standard aid stations with hot food, drinks, medical support, and drop bag access at major checkpoints.

Post-Race Culture

Professional UTMB-style finish with crowds, announcements, and a festival atmosphere in the finish area.

Race Day Weather

Temperature

20°C

10° – 30°

Humidity

25%

Rain Chance

5%

Conditions

Desert mountain — hot days, cold nights. Very dry air. Wide temperature range between exposed ridges and sheltered wadis.

Stats & Records

Established

2018

Finishers

200

Avg Finish

28:00:00

Entry

Entry Cost

OMR 150

Opens

April

Sells Out

months

Qualification Required Max Starters: 300
Official Website →
External Links

Lore & Trivia

Oman by UTMB brought the UTMB World Series to the Arabian Peninsula — a bold statement that trail running belongs in landscapes beyond the European Alps. The Hajar Mountains of Oman rise abruptly from the desert floor to nearly 3,000m, creating deep wadis (canyons) and jagged limestone ridges sculpted by millennia of flash floods. The 137km course threads through these wadis past ancient falaj irrigation channels, cliff-edge villages that predate Islam, and terrain that feels more lunar than terrestrial. The Omani government backed the event as part of its Vision 2040 tourism strategy, and the race has become a highlight of the UTMB calendar — proof that world-class mountain running exists far beyond Chamonix.

  • 137km through Oman's Hajar Mountains.
  • Part of the UTMB World Series.
  • Ancient falaj (irrigation channels) carved into cliff faces along the route.
  • Wadis (canyons) are the defining terrain feature.
  • Cliff-edge villages predate Islam by centuries.
  • Backed by Oman's Vision 2040 tourism strategy.
  • Dramatically different terrain from European UTMB events.

Oman's mountains are the Alps turned inside out — the valleys are the features, not the peaks.

— An Oman by UTMB runner On the wadi-focused terrain

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Oman by UTMB? +

Oman by UTMB is a 137km (137km) ultra marathon with 7,900m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.

How hard is Oman by UTMB? +

Oman by UTMB is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 63/100 (Demanding). The DNF rate is 25%. Runners have 40 hours to finish.

How do I enter Oman by UTMB? +

UTMB Index qualification required.. Entry costs OMR 150. with a maximum of 300 starters.

What is the weather like at Oman by UTMB? +

Average temperature is 20°C (range 10°C to 30°C) with 25% humidity and a 5% chance of rain. Desert mountain — hot days, cold nights. Very dry air. Wide temperature range between exposed ridges and sheltered wadis.

Are crew and pacers allowed at Oman by UTMB? +

No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.

What is the average finish time for Oman by UTMB? +

The average finish time is 28:00:00. About 200 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 25%.

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