|
The Race Course
The Petra Marathon® starts in front of the Visitors Center just outside Petra.
The first 500 meters is slightly downhill on a wide dirt road leading the runners down to the impressive 1,2 kilometer long gorge “The Siq”. With walls reaching up to 200 meters high and being only 3 to 5 meters wide this is truly an astonishing way to start a marathon. At the end of The Siq the amazing view of the Treasury “Al-Khazneh” becomes visible. Having passed this unbelievable sight you will shortly find yourself in Petra itself with tombs, caves and monasteries carved out in the mountainsides surrounding you.
Just before the 5 kilometer mark the route turns out of Petra and goes uphill for almost 2 kilometers before reaching the main road taking the runners north on hilly terrain.
After approximately 9 kilometers the route leaves the asphalt road to gravel and dirt surface with loose rocks and soft sand. Runners will make a loop around the hill top “Al Musirh” and head in to a river bed gorge “Siq Al Bard” leading out to Little Petra.
At the 14 kilometer mark the surface again turns to asphalt and follows the main road for the next 16 kilometers.
Shortly before the 15 kilometer mark you turn left and follow the road to the Water Supply building where a truning point is set up. You will receive a bracelet as proof that you came all the way to this point before turning back. This stretch of road is passing soft sandstone cliffs towering up just at the side of the road making you feel very small and humble ???
After 27 kilometers you are back at the point you turned away from at 15 kilometers and now turning left passing a bedouin village, the route goes uphill for the next 5 kilometers.
Between 30 and 31 KM the surface again becomes gravel and you are now running on a mountainside with beautiful views over the Petra mountains and most of the route you already ran.
From about 32 KM the route starts going downhill with 36 to 41 again being asphalt through the town of Wadi Musa being a fairly steep downhill part. The last kilometer flattens out and leads you to the Finish line at the Visitors Center where you will receive your medal and a big applause for a race well done.
|
|
|
|
Maps measured with Garmin Forerunner 305 |
|