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Ultra X Jordan is a prestigious 5-day, 220km multi-stage ultramarathon that takes runners through the breathtaking sandstone and granite landscapes of the Wadi Rum desert.
Course Highlights
Wadi Rum, famously known as the “Valley of the Moon,” offers one of the most visually stunning race courses on the planet. This UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Jordan is characterized by its dramatic sandstone mountains and granite rock formations that rise abruptly from the valley floor. Runners traverse a landscape that has served as the surreal backdrop for numerous Hollywood films, including The Martian, Aladdin, and Lawrence of Arabia, due to its otherworldly red sands and prehistoric vistas. The 220km route takes participants through vast desert plains, narrow rocky canyons, and over massive sand dunes that challenge even the most seasoned trail runners. Key highlights include the towering rock bridges of Jebel Burdah and the ancient Nabataean inscriptions scattered throughout the hidden wadis. The terrain is a challenging mix of hard-packed desert floor, technical rocky sections, and deep, energy-sapping soft dunes. Every turn reveals a new, breathtaking vista, from the fiery red of the dunes at sunset to the stark, lunar-like beauty of the rocky plateaus under the harsh desert sun.
Race Details
Ultra X Jordan is a world-class five-day multi-stage ultramarathon that typically covers a total distance of 220km. The 2026 edition, which marks the prestigious event’s 10th anniversary, is scheduled to take place from September 28 to October 2. The race is meticulously split into five distinct stages, with daily distances ranging from a manageable 34km to a grueling 60km “long stage” that tests both physical and mental fortitude. While the organizers provide essential water and tented accommodation at communal base camps each night, the event maintains a spirit of self-sufficiency. Participants are required to carry their own mandatory safety kit and all necessary nutrition for the duration of each stage. The event is supported by a comprehensive medical team, professional physios, and state-of-the-art chip timing. As a UTMB Index race, it provides valuable qualification points for the world’s most elite trail running events. Logistics are well-handled, with transfers provided from the capital city, Amman, to the desert camps. Ambient temperatures during the late September window typically range from 26°C to 34°C, making heat management and electrolyte balance critical components of a successful finish.
Why Runners Love It
Runners are drawn to Ultra X Jordan for its unique combination of brutal physical challenge and profound spiritual experience. The opportunity to disconnect from the modern world and sleep under the pristine, star-filled desert sky in traditional Bedouin-style camps creates an unforgettable sense of community and camaraderie among the international field of participants. The event is celebrated for its world-class organization and the supportive “family” atmosphere fostered by the dedicated crew and fellow competitors. Beyond the physical feat, the race offers a deep cultural immersion into the ancestral land of the Bedouin, whose hospitality is legendary in the region. The 10th Anniversary Edition in 2026 is expected to be a particularly momentous occasion, celebrating a decade of desert running excellence with special events and a commemorative atmosphere. The finisher medals are a badge of honor, but the race’s unique ribbon system provides additional motivation; from the Black Ribbon for elite finishers to the Green Ribbon awarded for exceptional commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. For many, completing the Wadi Rum Ultra is a life-changing journey that redefines their limits and leaves them with memories of a landscape that truly feels like another world.
Register for the 2026 Ultra X Jordan
At a Glance
- Location: Wadi Rum Village, Aqaba Governorate — Jordan
- Next Date: 2026-09-28
- Distances: 220km, 110km
- Start Time: 06:30
Register & Learn More
Visit the official race website for entry details, course maps, and registration: https://ultra-x.co/event/ultra-marathon-in-jordan/
Wadi Rum Village, Aqaba Governorate 77110 Jordan
Ultra X Jordan is a prestigious 5-day, 220km multi-stage ultramarathon that takes runners through the breathtaking sandstone and granite landscapes of the Wadi Rum desert.
Course Highlights
Wadi Rum, famously known as the “Valley of the Moon,” offers one of the most visually stunning race courses on the planet. This UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Jordan is characterized by its dramatic sandstone mountains and granite rock formations that rise abruptly from the valley floor. Runners traverse a landscape that has served as the surreal backdrop for numerous Hollywood films, including The Martian, Aladdin, and Lawrence of Arabia, due to its otherworldly red sands and prehistoric vistas. The 220km route takes participants through vast desert plains, narrow rocky canyons, and over massive sand dunes that challenge even the most seasoned trail runners. Key highlights include the towering rock bridges of Jebel Burdah and the ancient Nabataean inscriptions scattered throughout the hidden wadis. The terrain is a challenging mix of hard-packed desert floor, technical rocky sections, and deep, energy-sapping soft dunes. Every turn reveals a new, breathtaking vista, from the fiery red of the dunes at sunset to the stark, lunar-like beauty of the rocky plateaus under the harsh desert sun.
Race Details
Ultra X Jordan is a world-class five-day multi-stage ultramarathon that typically covers a total distance of 220km. The 2026 edition, which marks the prestigious event’s 10th anniversary, is scheduled to take place from September 28 to October 2. The race is meticulously split into five distinct stages, with daily distances ranging from a manageable 34km to a grueling 60km “long stage” that tests both physical and mental fortitude. While the organizers provide essential water and tented accommodation at communal base camps each night, the event maintains a spirit of self-sufficiency. Participants are required to carry their own mandatory safety kit and all necessary nutrition for the duration of each stage. The event is supported by a comprehensive medical team, professional physios, and state-of-the-art chip timing. As a UTMB Index race, it provides valuable qualification points for the world’s most elite trail running events. Logistics are well-handled, with transfers provided from the capital city, Amman, to the desert camps. Ambient temperatures during the late September window typically range from 26°C to 34°C, making heat management and electrolyte balance critical components of a successful finish.
Why Runners Love It
Runners are drawn to Ultra X Jordan for its unique combination of brutal physical challenge and profound spiritual experience. The opportunity to disconnect from the modern world and sleep under the pristine, star-filled desert sky in traditional Bedouin-style camps creates an unforgettable sense of community and camaraderie among the international field of participants. The event is celebrated for its world-class organization and the supportive “family” atmosphere fostered by the dedicated crew and fellow competitors. Beyond the physical feat, the race offers a deep cultural immersion into the ancestral land of the Bedouin, whose hospitality is legendary in the region. The 10th Anniversary Edition in 2026 is expected to be a particularly momentous occasion, celebrating a decade of desert running excellence with special events and a commemorative atmosphere. The finisher medals are a badge of honor, but the race’s unique ribbon system provides additional motivation; from the Black Ribbon for elite finishers to the Green Ribbon awarded for exceptional commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. For many, completing the Wadi Rum Ultra is a life-changing journey that redefines their limits and leaves them with memories of a landscape that truly feels like another world.
Register for the 2026 Ultra X Jordan
At a Glance
- Location: Wadi Rum Village, Aqaba Governorate — Jordan
- Next Date: 2026-09-28
- Distances: 220km, 110km
- Start Time: 06:30
Register & Learn More
Visit the official race website for entry details, course maps, and registration: https://ultra-x.co/event/ultra-marathon-in-jordan/