Dear Runners, We are excited to bring back to Petra Marathon back to the calendar. The race will take place on 13 th September 2014. For those who are interested, please send us the entry form as soon as possible for bookings. Slots are limited. - Flights to and from Jordan are not included in the package prices and must be purchased separately. - Transfer from/to the airport at arrival and departure is not included. Participants must take a taxi from the airport. Anyone wishing to participate in the tour - runners and spectators alike - must fill out the official entry form. A booking is cannot be confirmed before the completed entry form is received. The race is limited to 200 participants, but with the possibility for more rooms if demand is there. If you would like a specific allotment please let us know, otherwise we will take bookings as they come and let you know if we get close to sold out (which might be doubtful given the short time to sell, but we hope of course). Prices Single travelers who wish to save the single room supplement can request to share a double room with another traveler of the same sex. A shared room, however, cannot be guaranteed. All prices are per person in EURO. Basic Package - 7 days/6 nights Day 1-10 SEP: Arrival Amman Day 2-11 SEP: Mt. Nebo, Madaba, and Petra Day 3-12 SEP: Petra sightseeing and pasta dinner Day 4-13 SEP: Petra Marathon Day 5-14 SEP: Petra and Celebration Dinner Day 6-15 SEP: Dead Sea and Amman Day 7-16 SEP: Farewell Jordan Shared double room: 998 Single room supplement: 298
Price includes: - 6 nights accommodation - Transportation as per itinerary - English speaking tour leader - 3-days entry to Petra - Entrance fees to Mt. Nebo and Madaba - Meals according to itinerary - Celebration Dinner Price does not include: - International flight to/from Jordan - Transportation from/to the airport - Visa to Jordan - Meals not mentioned in the itinerary - Beverages - Personal expenses - Tips for local guides and drivers (3-5 euro pr. person pr. day is recommended) - Cancellation insurance due to illness or injury prior to departure - Travel & health insurance (we strongly recommend you to take out sufficient insurance) - Anything not mentioned under Price includes Marathon Package 248 Price includes: - Entry to Petra Desert Marathon or Half Marathon - English speaking race officials - Medical Team - Time taking and results service - Supplies on the route - Running T-shirt - Medal
Optional Package Wadi Rum & Aqaba 5 day / 4 nights Day 1 15 SEP: Wadi Rum Day 2 16 SEP: Aqaba Day 3 17 SEP: Aqaba Day 4 18 SEP: Dead Sea & Amman Day 5 19 SEP: Farewell Jordan Shared double room: 448 Single room supplement: 148 Price includes: - 3 nights hotel accommodation - 1 night in tented camp in Wadi Rum - Transportation as per itinerary - Entrance fee to Wadi Rum - English speaking tour leader - Meals according to itinerary Price does not include: - Meals not mentioned in the itinerary - Beverages - Personal expenses - Cancellation insurance due to illness prior to departure - Travel & health insurance (we strongly recommend you to take out sufficient insurance) - Anything not mentioned under Price includes Optional Package Dead Sea & Jerash 4 days/3 nights Day 1 15 or 18 SEP: Dead Sea Day 2 16 or 19 SEP: Dead Sea Day 3 17 or 20 SEP: Jerash & Amman Day 4 18 or 21 SEP: Farewell Jordan Shared double room: 398 Single room supplement: 198
Price includes: - 3 nights accommodation - Transportation as per itinerary - Entrance fee to Jerash - English speaking tour leader - Meals according to itinerary Price does not include: - Meals not mentioned in the itinerary - Beverages - Personal expenses - Cancellation insurance due to illness prior to departure - Travel & health insurance (we strongly recommend you to take out sufficient insurance) - Anything not mentioned under Price includes Itinerary The Petra Desert Marathon is taking place in September 2014. Run from the ancient city carved in the sandstone-mountains and through the lunar-like landscape of the Jordanian desert. The Petra Desert Marathon is part of a seven-day tour package with great opportunity to explore one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. A guided tour, a full day to visit on your own and of course the start of the race will make you see parts of this UNESCO World Heritage site that most never will. With a grand celebration dinner under the stars and a relaxing dip in the Dead Sea you will be flying back home with a suitcase full of memories from this friendly country. You can also extend your stay in amazing Jordan. Take a trip to the vast and awe-inspiring Wadi Rum desert followed by a relaxing holiday at the Red Sea or enjoy pure luxury at the most exclusive resort by the Dead Sea before visiting some of Jordan s most important cultural and historical sites. Or why not combine them both and get the full Jordan experience?
Basic Package 7 days/6 nights The 7-day package provides runners and their friends and family the perfect opportunity to explore Petra. Starting from the ancient city of Petra, the marathon route takes runners on a scenic tour through the stunning mountain and desert landscape. The holiday package includes social events, tours of Petra, and hotel accommodation. The marathon package can be purchased separately. Starting in Amman, the highlight of the journey will be the marathon event in Petra. From there, you can either extend your stay in Jordan with tours to Wadi Rum and Aqaba or the Dead Sea or travel back to Amman to explore the rest of this beautiful country on your own. Day 1-10 September Arrival Amman Arrive in Amman Queen Alia International Airport and make your way to the hotel for check-in. Transportation from the airport is not provided, but taxis are plenty-full. At the hotel your tour leader and local guide will assist with the check in and give information about the coming days. The rest of the day is free to explore Amman on your own. No meals are included this day. Day 2-11 September Mount Nebo, Madaba and Petra We check out from our hotel in Amman in the morning and go south by bus towards Petra. On the way we stop to visit Mount Nebo, the mountain where Moses saw the Holy Land before finding his final resting place on the mountain. Like Moses we can enjoy the great views to Israel. We continue to the historic city of Madaba, famous for the ancient Mosaic of Jerusalem one of the oldest pictured testimonies of the Holy City. A church has now been build up around the mosaic to protect this historical site. From Madaba we drive to Petra and check in at our hotel. Breakfast and lunch included this day.
Day 3-12 September Petra, race briefing and pasta dinner After breakfast we drive to Petra Visitors Centre from where we will start our guided walk through Petra and see the first part of the route that awaits tomorrow. The main entrance to the historical and archeological city of Petra is the Siq. With walls rising up to 200 meters 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 old Nabateans who created the city. After some time to explore the area and buy lunch on our own we head back to our hotel. In the late afternoon all runners 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 included this day. Day 4-13 September Petra Marathon & Half Marathon The day we all have waited for! After an early wakeup call all runners gather at the start area just outside the entrance to Petra. At 6:00 all participants walk through the Siq to the start line at the Street of Facades. At 6:30 am the race is started 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 theexperience, scenery and satisfaction in completing is more important than winning or setting a personal record. For a detailed description of the marathon day and route, please see under Race Information At the finish line runners receive the medal and refreshments before taking the bus back to the hotel. A light continental breakfast and packed lunch at the Finish included this day.
Day 5-14 September Petra and Celebration Dinner Today is a recovery day for all of us to get back on the feet at our own pace. Use your included 3- day entry ticket to visit Petra one more time and discover the hidden gems that only the few multiday visitors see. You can also relax 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 our strenuous achievements of yesterday with a festive Celebration Dinner. Dine, drink and dance under the stars and crescent Moon. Breakfast and Celebration Dinner included this day. Day 6-15 September Dead Sea and Amman After breakfast we check out from our hotel in Petra and drive to the Dead Sea the lowest point on Earth. We will use the facilities at Dead Sea OH Beach Resort to take a swim in the Dead Sea and relax at the pool. In the late afternoon we continue by bus to Amman and check in at our hotel. Participants who book the Optional Tours will start these adventures after breakfast today. Breakfast included this day. Day 7-16 September Farewell Jordan Our adventure in Jordan is over and it s time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Check out from the hotel must be completed before 12:00 in the afternoon. Transportation to the airport is not provided, but taxis or private transfers can be booked through the hotel reception. Breakfast included this day.
Extend your stay and get more adventures in Jordan Wadi Rum and Aqaba 5 days/4 nights Vast, echoing and god-like is how T.E. Lawrence described the Wadi Rum desert, also known as Valley of the Moon. Get lost in this stunning desert and sleep under the stars before treating yourself with a real beach holiday in Aqaba. Day 1 15 September Wadi Rum We have breakfast and check out from our hotel in Petra and drive to the magnificent and vast Wadi Rum desert. It was here the British army officer T. E. Lawrence gathered the Arab tribes to revolt against the Ottoman Turkish rule during World War I, a story that reached world fame in the movie Lawrence of Arabia. From the Wadi Rum Visitors Centre we change from bus to jeeps and go on a tour in the desert past sand dunes and incredible rock formation. The tour ends in the middle of the desert where we set up our tented camp for the night. Like real Bedouins we will cook dinner over an open fire with the gazing stars and Moon illuminating our outdoor hotel. NB: Before booking this adventure kindly beware of the fact that toilets and running water will not be available at the camp! All meals included this day. Day 2 16 September Aqaba We enjoy breakfast Bedouin style before the jeeps bring us back to the Visitors Centre from where our bus will take us to Aqaba. Being Jordan s number one holiday destination Aqaba offers great beaches at the Red Sea, snorkelling, shopping, boat trips and much more. We check in at our hotel resort and the rest of the day and evening is without program for each participant to enjoy the hotel facilities his/her way. Breakfast included this day.
Day 3 17 September Aqaba Today we have a full day to relax by the sunny beaches of Aqaba or the hotel pool. Breakfast included this day. Day 4 18 September Dead Sea and Amman After breakfast we check out from our hotel in Aqaba and drive to the Dead Sea the lowest point on Earth. We will use the facilities at Dead Sea OH Beach Resort to take a swim in the Dead Sea and relax at the pool. In the late afternoon we continue by bus to Amman and check in at our hotel. Participants who also book the Dead Sea & Jerash Optional Tour will go to the luxurious Mövenpick Dead Sea Hotel & Spa. Breakfast included this day. Day 5 19 September Farewell Jordan Our adventure in Jordan is over and it s time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Check out from the hotel must be completed before 12:00 in the afternoon. Transportation to the airport is not provided, but taxis or private transfers can be booked through the hotel reception. Breakfast included this day. Dead Sea and Jerash 4 days/3 nights Spoil yourself with a well deserved break at an exclusive resort by the Dead Sea. Nourish your skin with the rare experience of a rub in the mineral rich mud followed by a relaxed floating in the salty waters. With batteries recharged we visit the well kept Roman city ruins of Jerash.
Day 1 15 September Dead Sea We have breakfast and check out from our hotel in Petra to drive to the Dead Sea where we are going to spend a couple of days at the area s most exclusive resort the 5-star Mövenpick Dead Sea Resort & Spa. This oasis hotel is found in a traditional village setting nestled amongst lush gardens. The resort is set on the northern shores of the Dead Sea, at the lowest point on earth. With your well-being and balance in mind, this resort is an oasis of tranquillity. Relax into the award-winning Arabian Dead Sea Zara Spa with breath-taking views of the healing waters. Offering world-class facilities on 6,000 square metres, you can be sure to experience ultimate spa luxury. A unique evitalising and therapeutic experience awaits you. NB use of the spa facilities is not included in the package price. Breakfast included Day 2 16 September Dead Sea We have the whole day to indulge in the luxury of our luxurious resort. Breakfast included. Day 3 17 September Jerash and Amman We have the morning to enjoy a last floating in the Dead Sea before heading north through the Jordan Valley to the ruin city of Jerash. These well preserved ruins were once the ground pillars of a Roman Decapolis city build approximately 330BC. In its peak the city flourished from trade with the Nabateans from Petra and was one of the most important cities in the Roman province. In 747AD Jerash was hit by an earthquake and slowly the city was abandoned. As the years went by sand covered the columns and buildings, which is why everything was so well preserved when a Russian expedition excavated the city in 1878. After our visit in Jerash we drive to Amman and check in at our hotel for the night. Breakfast included.
Day 4 18 September Farewell Jordan Our adventure in Jordan is over and it s time to bid farewell to this extraordinary country. Check out from the hotel must be completed before 12:00 in the afternoon. Transportation to the airport is not provided, but taxis or private transfers can be booked through the hotel reception. Breakfast included this day. Petra Desert Marathon & Half Marathon Race Information Do not forget that this is first and foremost an adventure. We are far away from the comforts and services of a city marathon. The race organizers reserve the right to change details of the race. Age limits Marathon runners must be minimum 18 years old on race day. Half marathon runners must be minimum 16 years old on race day. Awards All finishers receive a medal. A small, symbolic prize is given to the winner of both distances for men and women. Please note that there is no prize money. Bag check-in On race day morning runners can check in personal items needed after the race. The bag check in desk is located at the Petra Visitors Center and bags must be handed in before walking to the start line inside Petra. Please place all your items in a bag and mark the bag clearly with your name and bib number. To pick up the bag you must show your bib number as identification. Checked in bags will be manned throughout the race, but the race organisers cannot be held responsible for loss of or damage to any items.
Bib number All runners must wear the official Bib number that will be handed out the day before the race. Marathon bibs are black while half marathon bibs are red. The bib number must be attached to the front of the torso for the duration of the run. Clothing As the route offers little shade it is recommended to run in light-weight and light-colored clothes. A T-shirt offers better protection from heat stroke than a sleeve-less shirt, but it is of course an individual matter. In any case we recommend the use of sunscreen with a high protection. A cap is also recommended and some may find comfort in wearing sunglasses too, although we believe the incredible shades of the mountains and desert are best enjoyed in their true colors. There are no restrictions to clothing and women and men alike can run in shorts, tights, tank tops etc. 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 area. 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. Distances The Petra Desert Marathon features a classic 42,195 km Marathon and a Half Marathon. The distances are color coded marathon is black and half marathon red. At the race briefing Friday the day before the race it is possible to change distance. No change of distance is permitted on race day! Drinks Stations Drinks stations serving water are situated along the route. Selected stations also serve energy drink and bananas. Please see the route map for details. Finish All runners who complete the marathon or half marathon within the time limit will receive a medal after crossing the finish line. Water and a sandwich lunch pack are given to all participants. Checked in bags can be picked up at the bag check out area. Shuttle busses leave the finish area every hour to bring runners back to their hotel.
Medical Team A team of specialized doctors from Denmark and paramedics from Jordan will supervise the marathon and assist in case of injury or exhaustion. The medical team has 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 drinks station and wait for a medical or race official car. If it is not practical to go to a drinks station simply wait at 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! Personal supplies It is possible to have personal supplies delivered to selected drinks stations. Marathon runners can get personal supplies at 4 stations and half marathon runners at 1 station. 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 start number and number of the drinks station you want it deposited. Personal supplies deposited to the drinks stations will not be returned. 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. All decisions made by the race official team are final and not up for discussion! Registration Registration is open. Please complete the registration form to sign up for the Petra Desert Marathon and tour package.
Route Description From the starting 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 2 kilometer uphill section on paved road leads runners out of the Petra Archeological Park boundaries and via the main road towards the desert on hilly tarmac road. After 6 kilometers the route leaves the asphalt road and runs into the desert. Half Marathon runners take the direct way to the river bed gorge Siq Al Bard while marathon runners has 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 30 kilometer 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 kilometers, 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 kilometers. The final 4 kilometers are steep downhill running on paved roads towards the finish line. Route Logistics 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 and runners shouldn t calculate speed based on the signs. Note that there won t be any toilets along the course, which means that there are toilets everywhere! Toilet paper is available at all drinks stations. The route is not closed off to traffic, but traffic police guards all entries to the route to warn drivers and ask them to slow down. Traffic is not heavy on these roads, but do keep an eye out for cars and trucks while running on paved roads!
Start Petra Desert Marathon & Half Marathon 2014 takes place 13 September and is scheduled for a 06:30 start. All runners must meet at the Petra Visitors Centre from where we walk the 2.5 kilometers through the Siq and past the Treasury to the start line at the Street of Facades. Surface The route is run on a mixture of gravel and paved roads and the sections through the desert even in sand with loose rocks. Time taking The race is timed electronically using the AMB Chip system from Ultimate Sports Service. The chip must be attached to the runners ankle during the run and will record each participant s net finishing time. Results will be published shortly after the race is completed. --------------------------------------------------------------------THE END ---------------------------------------------------------------