General information about Petra Marathon
Petra Marathon starts early in the morning to avoid too much running in the afternoon heat. From the Visitors Centre all runners walk the 1.2 kilometers through the Siq to the start line in front of the Treasury. Full marathon and ultra half marathon starts together.
All runners who complete the marathon or ultra half marathon within the time limit will receive a medal.
Do not forget that this is first and foremost an adventure. We are far away from the homely comforts and this makes it impossible to offer services at the same high level as usually provided in city marathons.
Please note that all decisions made by the race officials and/or medical team are final and not up for discussion.
The Marathon Route
Petra Marathon 2011 takes place on September 10th and is scheduled for an early 06:30 start.
From the starting line in front of the astonishing sight of the Treasury the route quickly turns in to the ancient city of Petra and shortly after the start you find yourself surrounded with tombs, caves and monasteries carved out in the mountainsides.
Just before the 3 kilometre mark the route turns out of Petra and goes uphill for almost 2 kilometres before reaching the main road taking the runners north on hilly terrain, but with tarmac surface.
After approximately 7,5 kilometres the route leaves the asphalt road and turns in to gravel and dirt surface with loose rocks and soft sand. Full marathon runners will make a full loop around the hill top “Al Musirh” while Ultra Half marathon runners take a short cut on the east side of the hill. Both routes then head in to a river bed gorge “Siq Al Bard” leading out to Little Petra.
At the 12 kilometre mark (10km for Ultra Half) the surface again turns to asphalt and follows the main road again.
Shortly before the 15 kilometre mark (13 for Ultra Half) the full marathon course turns left at a Bedouin school. Full marathon runners are now have to do a 7,5 kilometre back tracking stretch running past incredible rock formation in an area that only few tourists visit.
When passing the 30 kilometer mark full marathon runners find themselves back at the Bedouin School and merge again with the ultra 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 again becomes gravel for about 3 kilometres.
The final 5 kilometres are steep downhill running towards the finish line located at the Petra Visitors Centre. The final kilometre flattens out and makes it possible to gather the remaining energy for a sprint across the finish line where you will receive your medal for a race well done.
Kilometer signs can be found along the entire route. Owing to the conditions, however, they may be placed +/- some meters from the exact point. The kilometer signs are therefore only for orientation. Note that there won’t be any toilets along the course, which means that there are toilets everywhere!
Please note that this route description is subject to change if the race officials finds it necessary.
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Please note that these are guideline maps and subject to change!
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Cut off time
All runners have 7 hours to complete the race. Runners still on the route after the cut off time will be swept up by a race official or medical car and driven back to the finish at the Visitors Centre.
5 hours after the start, however, the route closes at the 30 kilometre mark (13 km mark for the ultra half marathon) meaning that runners who haven’t passed this point at 11:30 will not be allowed to finish the race.
Water stations
Water stations are situated along the route. At selected stations energy drink and/or bananas are also provided. Please see the route map for details.
Personal supplies
It is possible to have personal supplies delivered at selected water stations. The personal supplies can be food, drink, sunscreen, extra clothes and shoes or other personal necessities.
Personal supplies must be handed over to the race officials in the morning before the race start.
Race Officials
English speaking race officials are in charge of setting up the route as well as controlling the logistics on race day. They will be patrolling the route and guiding on the most crucial places on the course. Assisting guides will also be placed on the route to show directions.
The race officials have full rights to change any detail of the race if necessary. All decisions made by the race official team are final and not up for discussion!
Medical Team
A team of specialized medical doctors will supervise the marathon and assist in case of injury or exhaustion. The medical team have undisputed authority to exclude runners who, according to the doctors’ judgment, should not continue running if it involves a serious health risk to the runner. The medical team will be patrolling the route as well as being situated in the finish area and on strategic points of the route.
Runners who wish to drop out of the marathon should go to the nearest drink station and wait for a car from the medical team or race official team. If it is not practical to go to a drink station simply wait in the side of the road. We encourage all participants to look out for each other and report to the officials or medical team if you see an injured runner on the route. All decisions made by the medical team are final and not up for discussion!
Facilities at the finish
The medal is given immediately after the finish line has been crossed. A medical tent is set up at the finish to check all runners passing the finish line. Water and a sandwich lunch pack are given to all participants. Personal supplies, extra clothes and other personal necessities can be picked up at the luggage bag area. Shuttle busses leave the finish area every hour to bring runners back to their hotel.