The Race

Clothing

For optimal comfort while running, we recommend wearing light-weight and light-colored clothing.

To prevent heatstroke, consider ways to keep direct sun off your skin, f.ex. a T-shirt offers better protection than a sleeveless shirt. This is of course a personal choice. 

A high-protection sunscreen is crucial, and a cap is highly recommended. 

Consider using a buff or a bandana to keep the sun off the back of your neck, which you can soak at our water stations for a cooling effect. 

There are no clothing restrictions, so women and men alike can run in shorts, tights, tank tops etc. Petra is a popular tourist destination, so tight or short clothing is more common there than in other parts of the country. 

Weather

Temperatures on race day can reach as high as 35°C/95°F, and the desert route offers very little shade. Participants should be ready to deal with heat and remember - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! 

The Petra Desert Marathon kicks off at 06.30, and all distances have 7 hours to finish the race.

Five hours after the start, the marathon route closes at the 31-kilometre mark, and the 25-kilometre route closes at the 14-kilometre mark. Meaning, runners who have not passed this point by 11.30 will not be permitted to finish the race. 

After the cut-off time, we will drive around and collect any runners still on the route. All runners with a net finishing time slower than 7 hours will receive a FNT (Finished No Time) on the result list. 

Full marathon - 42.195km/26.2 mi

Ultra Half marathon - 25 kilometres/15.5 mi

Distance changes:

It is possible to change the distance you want to run up to 10 days before the race starts. Contact us with your request - the sooner the better.

If you want to change your distance while on tour, contact a race official before or after the race briefing. You must bring your original race number!

Change of distance is NOT permitted on Race Day.

2026: September 5th

2027: September 4th

2028: September 2nd

Deadlines

Registration for The Petra Desert Marathon closes on 31 July 2026. To secure your place and preferred accommodation, we recommend booking early. 

International runners will receive their goodie bags on the night before the race.

The goodie bag contains: your start/bib number, timing chip/velcro strap, official race T-shirt, information on the race route, and schedule for your trip. 

Start/bib numbers are colour-coded according to the distance you are running.

• Full marathon: Black
• Ultra half-marathon: Red

Personal supplies must be handed over to the race officials at the race briefing the day before the race, or before 5.30 on race day morning at the Visitor's Center. 

Please pack your items in a bag or backpack and mark your bag clearly with your name and bib number. These items can be layers of clothing, food, drinks, sunscreen and other personal necessities.  

Personal supplies deposited at the drink stations will be returned to the Finish Area after the water stations close down. 

Although the luggage area is manned, the race organisers cannot be held responsible for any lost or damaged items.

Kindly note that all decisions made by the race officials and or medical team are final and not up for discussion. 

Albatros Adventure Marathons reserve the right to change the itinerary and/or running course without further notice in the event of extreme weather or other natural causes. This also includes the decision to cut the course short. 

By signing up for this event, you agree to the Terms & Conditions of Albatros Adventure Marathons.

Watch race recaps from previous and past years here:

Race recaps

Route Map

Elevation Map
 

Surface

Gravel roads, paved roads, sand.

Logistics 

• Kilometer signs can be found along the entire route. Owning to the conditions, they may be places +/- some meters from its exact point. They are therefore only for orientations and runners shouldn't calculate speed based on the signs.
• There are no toilets along the course, which means there are toilets everywhere! Toilet paper is available at all drink stations. Please respect the nature and leave no trace behind. You can deposit used toiled paper in the disposal bins at the drink stations.
• The route is not closed off to traffic, but police guards will warn drivers and ask them to slow down. 

Wristbands

• The marathon route has an out-and-back stretch totalling 16 kilometers. At the return point of this stretch (8 km out), marathon runners will receive a wristband to prove that they went all the way out.
• The wristband must be worn for the remainder of the race to the finish line. No wristband = Disqualification
• The wristband applies to marathon runners only. 

Age limitations

Marathon: 18 years

Half Marathon: 16 years 

Top Finishers

The top three male and female finishers of all distances are the first three to physically cross the finish line, regardless of their net time.

Gear

Nordic walking and trekking poles are not allowed.

Medical Team Availability

Danish English-speaking doctors, assisted by a Jordanian paramedics, will provide medical assistance to runners in need. The medical team reserves the right to remove any runner who is deemed unable to complete the race. Please note that all decisions made by the medical team or race officials are final.

Doctors and race officials will be positioned along, and move in and out of, the route, but will not be able to monitor all parts at all times. We kindly ask all runners to look out for each other and report to race officials, water stations or doctors if you see a fellow runner in need of help.

If you take daily medicine prescribed by your physician or need any other medication, please inform the race doctors in advance by writing to marathon@albatros-adventure.com
 

Timing is done with an AMB Chip. The chip will be in the goodie bag that runners receive. The chip must be attached around the ankle with a velcro strap or in the shoe lace. The chip must be handed back to the staff at the finish line.

Live results will be available from the Results page.

International Participants 

For international participants, race entry is only possible in conjunction with a multi-day tour package. The entry package includes all the ingredients for a fantastic getaway, with all logistics taken care of.  

Find our 6-day entry package here 

Regional Residents of Jordan

Participants residing in one of the following countries, and thus meet the necessary residency requirements, are elgiible for a special 2-night/3-day package. Qualifying countries include: 

• Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen. 

Upon receiving your booking, we will contact you to request copies of your official, government-issued documentation. 

Find our regional package here

Residents of Jordan

As a resident of Jordan, you are eligible for local entry which includes only the race. 

Upon receiving your booking, we will contact you to request copies of your official, government-issued documentation. 

Contact us for details