Petra Desert Marathon, Jordon

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The Petra Desert Marathon is a challenging adventure marathon set in the beautiful desert region of Jordan. Starting in the ancient city of Petra, the route takes runners on a remarkable race in the area surrounding Petra. From the lunar-like mountain landscape to the arid desert, runners navigate challenging terrain in the dry desert heat.   The event consists of a full and a half marathon and is part of a 4-night tour package which also includes social events, tours, hotel accommodation, entr…

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The Petra Desert Marathon is a challenging adventure marathon set in the beautiful desert region of Jordan. Starting in the ancient city of Petra, the route takes runners on a remarkable race in the area surrounding Petra. From the lunar-like mountain landscape to the arid desert, runners navigate challenging terrain in the dry desert heat.

 

The event consists of a full and a half marathon and is part of a 4-night tour package which also includes social events, tours, hotel accommodation, entry to the staggering historic site of Petra and a dip in the Dead Sea.

 

Our company director and London Marathon winner, Mike Gratton, ran in the half marathon in 2017 finishing 7th and reported that it is a hilly race on a mix of desert trails and roads with a rapid descent to the finsh line. The walk to the start line through the Petra gorge as the sun is coming up and before the public have access is extroadinary and worth the journey on its own.

 

The Race:

 

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 out in the mountainsides.

A 2km uphill section on 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 hill top “Al Musirh”. Leaving Siq al Bard at Little Petra, the route is back on the tarmac road heading towards the village of Ammarine

Just before the village half marathon runners continue straight through the village while marathon runners turn left on the road leading to Wadi Araba to do a 8km back tracking stretch running past incredible rock formations that only few tourists visit.

When passing the 30km 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 kilometres.

The final 4 kilometres are steep downhill running on paved roads towards the finish line.

Age limits:

 

Marathon 18yrs / Half Marathon 16yrs

 

Course time limits:

All runners have 7 hours to complete the race. Runners still on the route after the cut-off time 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 route closes at the 30km mark (13km mark for the half marathon) meaning that runners who haven’t passed this point at 11:30 will not be allowed to finish the race.

Visas:

A visa can be obtained upon arrival in Jordon by British Passport Holders - currently JOD40.

 

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  Hotels are a choice from Standard (3-star), Comfort (4-star), Deluxe 5-star. The hotels used by the event will be:

  Dead Sea:

  Standard: 

  Comfort: Grand East

  Deluxe: Movenpick Resort

  Petra: 

  Standard: Edom Hotel

  Comfort: La Maison Hotel

  Deluxe: Movenpick Resort

• Itinerary

  PETRA MARATHON TOUR 4-NIGHTS

   

  Day 1 - Sep 5 - Arrival - transfer to Deadsea Resort

   

  Transfer to your choice of standard or superior hotel. Transfer time approx. 45mins/1hr.  Meet & greet with your tour guide this morning. Rest of the day free to relax at the Dead Sea. Overnight at the Dead Sea. Breakfast included. There is a shopping Mall nearby the hotels with a choice of restaurants for purchasing dinner.

   

  Day 2 - Sep 6 - Dead Sea, Petra, race briefing and pasta dinner

   

  The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. Take a swim in the Dead Sea and relax at the pool this morning.
  In the afternoon we continue by bus to Wadi Mousa (Petra) and check in at the Petra Palace (standard) or Movenpick Resort (superior) – this five-star hotel is located 5 mins wak from the entrance to Petra.

  In the evening all runners will meet for a race briefing given by the race officials and medical team and in the evening we will carbo-load with a pasta dinner in the hotel restaurant.
  Breakfast and pasta dinner are included today. Overnight Deadseal. Breakfast and pasta dinner included.

   

  Day 3 - Sep 7 - Petra Marathon & Half Marathon

   

  The day we have all waited for! After an early wakeup call, all runners hop on the bus and drive to the Petra Visitors Centre. At 5:45 all participants walk 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 tourist crowds.

   

  At 6:30 the race begins for both full and half marathon runners. Although regarded as an official race following international competition rules including time taking, it is important to remember that it is first and foremost an Adventure Marathon in which the experience, scenery and satisfaction of completing is more important than winning or setting a personal record. For a detailed description of the marathon day and route, please see the race website: www.petra-desert-marathon.com.
  At the finish line, located in front of the Visitors Centre, runners receive their medals and refreshments.
  A light continental breakfast and packed lunch at the finish area are included today.

  There are two optional activities available later in the day:

   

  Petra by Night: Starts at 20.30 and last 2hrs. £27

   

  Petra Kitchen: Learn to cook traditional Jordanian food. Chefs guide you through a cooking class with starter and main course before enjoying the full dinner. The recipe is given to you at the end.  Starts at 18.30 and last for 2.5 hrs. £35

   

  Overnight Petra. Breakfast and packed lunch included today.

   

  Day 4 - Sep 8 - Petra and Celebration Dinner

   

  Today is the day to explore Petra in its full glory. After breakfast we drive to Petra Visitors Centre from where we start our guided walk and learn about the impressive history of yesterday’s starting point.
  The main entrance of the historical and archaeological 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 ruin, the Treasury. We continue past the marvellous tombs and caves carved out of the red sandstone cliff while our guide tells us about the Nabateans who created the city. After some time to explore the area and buy lunch on our own we head back to the hotel.
  Depending on how much time you want to spend in Petra you can also relax and recover from the strenuous efforts of yesterday in one of the areas’ Turkish Baths and Spas or simply treat yourself at a local restaurant with the incredibly tasty Jordanian cuisine.
  In the evening all participants depart from the hotel to Little Petra where we will celebrate the completion of Petra Desert Marathon with a festive celebration dinner in the desert; dine, drink and dance under the stars and crescent moon.
  Breakfast and celebration dinner are included today. Overnight Petra. 

   

  Day 5 - Sep 9 - Farewell Jordan or extend your Jordan adventure

   

  Our adventure in Jordan is over and it’s time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Check out from the hotel early for the transfer to the airport  - transfers ARRIVE at the airport at the following times: 05.00, 08.00, 13.00, 18.00. You require 3hrs journey time to the airport. If these times don't fit yur flight schedule then a sperate transfer can be arranged at £62 oneway. You can also book overnight stays in Amman and discover the thriving capital city.
  Participants who book one of the extensions will start these adventures after breakfast today.

  
   

   

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  EXTENDED TOURS

   

  At the end of the marathon package why not extend your stay on your choice of one of the extensions below:

   

   

  ADVENTURE TOUR - 4-DAYS/3-NIGHTS

   

  Day 1 - Sep 9 - Wadi Rum Desert: Leave Petra and drive into the desert made famous by Larwrenceof Arabia. Drive by jeeps to he centre of this incredible landscape and camp over night. 

   

  Day 2 - Sep 10 - Dana Valley and White Dome Trail: Enjoy breakfast Bedouin style and transfer to the Visitor Centre by jeep for the bus to the village of Tafilah. From here you set off on a 8km hike through the Dana Valley - one of Jordans premier nature reserves.  The trail contours the huge escarpment of Wadi Dana with views of the canyon-like valley. Camp overnight at Rummana Camp. All meals included.

   

  Day 3 - Sep11 - Wadi Mujib and Amman: From Rummana Camp you head north along the Wadi Araba highway. Just before the Dead Sea you reach the Wadi Mujib Gorge, in many ways similar to the Siq in Petra - towering with cliffs rising on both sides. The Mujib River supports 400 speices of plants and 100 speices of birds and animals like the Nubian Ibex, Red Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wild Cat, Caracal, Badger, Mongoose, Wolf and Arabian Leopard. Drive on to your hotel in Amman for the night. Breakfast and lunch included.

   

  Day 4 - Sep 12 - Departure:  Check out from the hotel early for the transfer to the airport  - transfers operate to ARRIVE at the airport at following times: 05.00, 08.00, 13.00, 18.00. You require 3hrs journey time to the airport. If these times don't fit yur flight schedule then a sperate transfer can be arranged at £62 oneway.

   

    

  CULTURAL TOUR - 4-DAYS/3-NIGHTS

   

  Day 1 - Sep 9 - Shoubak and Petra: The day starts with a visit to the former Crusader fortress of Shoubak, a castle from the Mamluk period with original Crusader features. The rest of the day can be spent exploring some of the less visited places at Petra. Breakfast included.

   

  Day 2 - Sep 10 - Madaba, Mt Nebo, As Salt and Amman: Check-out this morning and drive north to the historic city of Madaba, faous for the ancient 'Mosaic of Jerusalem'. You continue to Mount Nebo, the mountain where Moses saw the Holy Land before finding his final resting place on the mountan. Travel on to the small town of As Salt and a walking tour through this inviting community that showcases some of Jordans most charming buildings and bazaars. You end the day in Amman. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

   

  Day 3 - Sep 11 - Jerash and Amman: After breakfast you drive north theough the Jordan Valley to the excavated city of Jerash. Once the a Roman City formed in 330BC it was hit by an earthquake in 747AD and slowly the city was abandoned. Over the following years sand covered the columns and buildings, which is why everything was so well preserved when a Russian expedition excavated the cit in 1878. Return to Amman and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the capitals most prominant sites and buildings.  Breakfast and lunch included.

   

  Day 4 - Sep 12 - Departure: Check out from the hotel early for the transfer to the airport  - transfers ARRIVE at the airport at the following times: 05.00, 08.00, 13.00, 18.00. You require 3hrs journey time to the airport. If these times don't fit yur flight schedule then a sperate transfer can be arranged at £62 oneway.

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  PRICES PER PERSON   4-NIGHT STANDARD HOTEL   4-NIGHT COMFORT PACKAGE 4-NIGHT DELUXE PACKAGE	TWIN ROOM £719 £879 £1039	SINGLE ROOM £839 £1079 £1690
  ADD-ON TOURS
  ADVENTURE EXTENSION	£559	£699
  with Martian Dome first night	£639	£1070
  CULTURE EXTENSION	£489	£639

  EXTRA NIGHTS DEAD SEA STANDARD	£60	£100
  EXTRA NIGHTS DEAD SEA COMFORT	£65	£112
  EXTRA NIGHTS DEAD SEA DELUXE	£76	£149

  Additional Items:

  Marathon Entry Fee: £200

  Petra by Night £28

  Petra Kitchen £40

  Marathon fee includes:

  • Entry to Petra Desert Marathon or Half Marathon
  • English speaking race officials
  • Medical team
  • Timing and results
  • Supplies on the route
  • Running t-shirt
  • Medal

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  A deposit is required at the time of booking:

  • Runner £400
  • Non-runner £200

  Final balance is due 10 weeks before travel

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