Welcome to Jordan
Take part in a historic run, in remarkable settings. The start of the race will make you see parts of this UNESCO World Heritage site that most never will before heading into the lunar-like landscape of the Jordanian desert.
The Petra Desert Marathon is part of a six-day tour package with great opportunity to explore one of the new 7 Wonders of the World.
Before and after the marathon, you’ll get the pleasure of tasting delicious Jordanian cuisine, meeting welcoming people, and immersing yourself in their rich history and culture.
With a grand celebration dinner under the stars, a relaxing dip in the Dead Sea and the opportunity to extend your trip on an Adventure tour, you will be flying back home with a suitcase full of memories from this friendly country.
Be sure to check out the additional activities and extension tours on offer.
- Packages Include
- Guaranteed Race Entry (runners only)
- 5 Nights Accommodation:
- Check in: Wed 03 Sep 2025
- Check out: Mon 08 Sep 2025
- Meet and Greet on arrival
- Arrival transfer from Amman Airport to the Dead Sea
- 4 scheduled departure transfers from Petra to Amman airport
- Meals as per itinerary including post race Celebration Dinner
- Transportation during tour as per itinerary
- 3 Days entry to Petra
- English speaking tour leader
- Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients - Invite to Travelling Fit’s Petra Desert Marathon Closed Facebook Group
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
- Wonder of Amman Pre-Tour: $110 per person
- Adventure Extension Tour – Standard Tent: $360 per person
- Adventure Extension Tour – Star Tent Dome: $430 per person
- Wonder of Amman Pre-Tour: $110 per person
- Adventure Extension Tour – Standard Tent: $360 per person
- Adventure Extension Tour – Star Tent Dome: $430 per person
The Course
From the start line just before the Siq, the route goes through the Siq into the ancient city of Petra and right away you will find yourself surrounded with tombs, caves, and monasteries carved in the mountainsides.
A 2 km uphill section on a paved road leads runners out of the Petra Archaeological Park boundaries and, via the main road, towards the desert on hilly tarmac road.
After 8 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 hilltop “Al Musirh.” Leaving Siq al Bard at Little Petra, the route goes back on the tarmac road heading towards the village of Ammarine.
Half-marathon runners continue straight through the village while marathon runners, just before the village, turn left on the road leading to Wadi Araba to do a 8 km back-tracking stretch that will take you past incredible rock formations that only a few tourists visit.
When passing the 30 km 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 km.
The final 4 km is steep downhill running on paved roads towards the finish line.
Testimonials
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- Petra Desert Marathon 2017
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
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- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
-
- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
-
- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
-
- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
-
- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
-
- 2019 ; Albatros; Albatros Adventure; Albatros Adventure Marathons; Albatros Travel; Challenge; Outdoors; Petra Desert Marathon; Pride; Route; Sport; Travel; active; adventure; adventures; compete; competitors; desert; exercise; extreme; finish; goal; hot; jordan; life-changing; marathon; middle east; people; person; petra; race; rocks; run; runner; runners; running; start; trail; winner
Race Information
Entry Fees
The entry fee for the Petra Desert Marathon is included in the package.
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times required for the Petra Desert Marathon.
Marathon runners must be minimum 18 years old on race day.
Start Time
The Petra Desert Marathon has a scheduled start time of 06:30am.
Cut-Off Times
All runners have 7 hours from start time to complete their race, regardless of distance. Runners still on the route after the time limit 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 marathon route closes at the 31km mark (10km mark for the half marathon) meaning that runners who haven’t passed this point at 11:30 will not be permitted to finish the race.
Race Timing
Timing is done with AMB Chip. The chip will be in the race pack that runners receive the day before the race.
The chip must be attached around the ankle with the velcro strap that follows or in the shoe lace.
The chip must be handed back to the timing staff at the finish line.
Race Packets
At the race briefing the night before the race, runners will receive their race packets.
Inside this bag you’ll find your start number, race t-shirt, information on the route, and your timing chip/velcro strap.
Pace Setters
There are no official pace setters for the Petra Desert Marathon.
Aid Stations
There will be water stations at approximately every 4 kilometres along the route. Some stations will also serve energy drinks and bananas. All stations provide bottled water. Marathon runners will be offered energy gel after 26km and 35km.
It is possible to have personal supplies delivered to selected drinks stations. Marathon runners can get personal supplies at four stations.
The personal supplies can be food, drink, sunscreen or other personal necessities.
Personal supplies must be handed over to the race officials at the race briefing the day before the race – remember to clearly mark your supplies with your start number and the number of the drinks station you want it deposited at.
Personal supplies deposited at the drinks stations will not be returned.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
Personal belongings can be dropped off at the Visitors Centre and will be brought to the finish area. Any personal belongings you want available at the finish area should be packed in a bag or backpack and clearly marked with your name and start number. The bag must be handed over to the race officials at Petra Visitors Centre before 6:00am on race day morning.
The walk from the Visitors Centre to the start line can be chilly and a light jacket or sweater is recommended for the walk. This jacket or sweater can be dropped at the start line and will be brought to the finish area. Again we ask you to clearly mark all your belongings with name and start number.
The Petra Desert Marathon organisers cannot be held responsible for any lost or damaged items or valuables.
It is possible to have personal supplies delivered to 4 of the drinks stations.
The personal supplies can be food, drink, sunscreen or other personal necessities.
Personal supplies must be handed over to the race officials at the race briefing the day before the race – remember to clearly mark your supplies with your start number and the number of the drinks station you want it deposited at.
Personal supplies deposited at the drinks stations will not be returned.
After the event, water and a sandwich lunch are given to all participants. Checked-in bags can be picked up at the bag check-out area.
TRANSPORT
All runners must meet outside the Petra Visitor Center (within walking distance from you hotel) at 05:45am. Then at 6:00am, all participants will walk together to the start located just before the Siq.
The finish line is located near the Petra Visitor Centre where you will make your short way back to your hotel.
Expo
There will not be an Expo.
Finishes T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All runners who complete the marathon within the time limit will receive a medal after crossing the finish line.
The official race event shirt will be included in your race pack.
Weather Conditions
The temperature in late August/early September is around 30 degrees Celsius and can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius (86-104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Night time temperatures can be as low as 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit).
