Al Marmoom Ultramarathon (AMUM) race series includes the world’s longest desert ultramarathon.
Organized by FittGROUP in partnership with Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the record breaking world’s longest desert ultramarathon first took place 11th – 15th in December 2018.
HOW FAR CAN YOU RUN?
Find and test your limits in the Middle East’s first 24 hour non- stop running challenge – AMUM 2023
Do you have what it takes to take on the ultimate physical and mental running challenge, a non- stop 24 hour race?
Test your limits and take up the challenge in the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 24 hour non-stop race.
This first of its kind running challenge in the Middle East will take place on 10th and 11th February 2023 in the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.
The 24 hour challenge is organized as part of the world’s longest desert ultramarathon series, and will also include 12 hour and 6 hour races, as well as the annual 10 KM desert race and 5 KM Dune Run.
The 24 hour non- stop race will take place on a pre- set circuit during one day with runners completing as many laps as they can within the specified time frame.
Unlike other run races over a set distance, this ultra-marathon event is a race over a set time period.
Completing the 24-hour race will require a special combination of physical strength, technical preparation, and mental toughness. Whilst physical endurance will get you through the first few hours, it’s then down to mental durability to push on through and finish. The challenge is to complete as many loops of the circuit as possible over the set time period.
If you would like to challenge yourself over a shorter time period, AMUM 2023 is offering 12 hour and 6 hour races.
The popular annual 10 KM and 5 KM runs over the sand dunes in the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve brings together the region’s running community for challenging and fun races in Dubai’s beautiful desert landscape.
24 Hour Race Male & Female
12 Hour Race Male & Female
6 Hour Race Male & Female
10 KM Race Male & Female
5 KM Dune Run Male & Female
AED 1450: 24 Hour Race
AED 750: 12 Hour Race
AED 450: 6 Hour Race
AED 250: 10 KM Race
AED 150: 5 KM Dune Run
COMPULSARY MEDICAL FORM
Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 24 Hour, 12 Hour and 6 Hour race participants must complete the mandatory medical information form in full to participate in the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon.
The medical form must be signed and stamped by a physician to confirm that you are physically fit to run the race you have entered, which takes place in challenging conditions, including extreme high temperatures and humidity.
You will not be able to participate without this completed form being submitted to, and accepted by the race organisers.
DOWNLOAD MEDICAL FORM
An administration and medical requirement check will take place at the base camp on the event day. It will include a mandatory run kit inspection.
Participants must present themselves to the race organizers and must meet all the administrative and medical requirements. Anyone not meeting all the required conditions may be eliminated from the race without any refund.
There are no minimum or maximum weight requirements, but the mandatory equipment, minimum nutrition and minimum water must be carried in your race pack.
Whilst there are no weight restrictions, mandatory run equipment will be strictly enforced.
There is a mandatory equipment list and participants will be expected to show the race organizers their mandatory kit before the start of the race, and whenever race organizers may perform spot checks.
Participants without the mandatory equipment may incur penalties and or disqualification.
Race bag/backpack must contain:
- Backpack (for running)
- Race bib visual on the front
- Sand gaiters
- Salt tablets (will be provided by the organizer)
- Electrolytes or equivalent
- Headlamp fully charged with spare batteries
- Nutrition -minimum 1500 calories. Estimate 300 calories per expected hour on the run course
- Hydration items (flasks, bladder, camel backpack)
- Water - Minimum 1.5l water from the start
- First aid kit with plasters, bandage, scissors, ointment and pain killers
- Appropriate run socks
- Compression leggings
- Cap with neck flap or cap and neck gaiter Sleeves Sunglasses Sun protection/Sunscreen
- Shorts with anti-chafing properties T-shirt with cooling /compress technology
Cut Off Time: 24 Hours
Thursday 9th February
04:00 PM: Base Camp Arrival & Pre-checks + Overnight stay
Friday 10th February
07:00 AM: Start 24 Hour Race
Saturday 11th February
07:00 AM: End 24 Hour Race
Saturday 11th February
09:30 AM: Awards Ceremony
10:00 AM: Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 2023 Ends
Cut Off Time: 12 Hours
Friday 10th February
04:00 PM: Athlete Village Arrival & Pre-checks
Friday 10th February
07:00 PM: Start 12 Hour Race
Saturday 11th February
07:00 AM: End 12 Hour Race
Saturday 11th February
09:30 AM: Awards Ceremony
10:00 AM: Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 2023 Ends
Cut Off Time: 6 Hours
Friday 10th February
11:00 PM: Athlete Village Arrival & Pre-checks
Saturday 11th February
01:00 AM: Start 6 Hour Race
Saturday 11th February
07:00 AM: End 6 Hour Race
09:30 AM: Awards Ceremony
10:00 AM: Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 2023 Ends
Cut Off Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Saturday 11th February
05:00 AM: Athlete Village Arrival & Registration
Saturday 11th February
07:20 AM: Start 10KM Race
Saturday 11th February
09:20 AM: End 10KM Race
09:30 AM: Awards Ceremony
10:00 AM: Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 2023 Ends
Cut Off Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Saturday 11th February
05:00 AM: Athlete Village Arrival & Registration
Saturday 11th February
07:20 AM: Start 5KM Race
Saturday 11th February
09:20 AM: End 5KM Race
09:30 AM: Awards Ceremony
10:00 AM: Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 2023 Ends
24 Hour Race: Thursday 9th February
04:00 PM: Base Camp arrival & pre-checks + overnight stay (hot meal in the Base Camp night before the first race will be provided)
12 Hour Race: Friday 10th February
04:00 PM: Athlete Village arrival & pre-checks
6 Hour: Friday 10th February
11:00 PM: Athlete Village arrival & pre-checks
24 Hours: 24 Hour Race
12 Hours: 12 Hour Race
6 Hours: 6 Hour Race
1 Hour 50 Minutes: 10 KM Race
1 Hour 20 Minutes: 5 KM Dune Run
Any runner who exceeds the maximum authorized time shall be disqualified and must return their bib to the steward. Any runner who arrives at a check point/finish point after the deadline shall be disqualified.
24 hour/12 hour and 6 hour races
The run elevation is at sea level.
The circuit will be mainly on hard sand tracks with slight undulations and some softer sand areas.
10KM Race
The run elevation is at sea level.
The 10KM race route takes runners round the lakes and then over a mixed desert terrain of hard sand tracks and sand dunes of varying heights.
The terrain is a mix of different levels of sand dunes and hard sand tracks.
5KM Dune Run
The run elevation is at sea level.
The 5KM Dune Run route takes runners over high challenging sand dunes.
The heights of dunes will vary from challenging high to ridges and troughs.
Participants must follow the route as marked out by the organizers, passing at a maximum distance of 5 meters from the markers. Failing to do so may incur penalties. The course will be clearly marked approximately every 50– 100 meters. Natural landmarks will also serve as additional points of reference. The organizers will provide a race briefing outlining the route conditions and there will be constant monitoring of all the runners during the race. Any participant withdrawing from the race must notify a race official as soon as possible.
Al Marmoom Ultramarathon will have regular checkpoints and will offer hydration, refreshments, and medical assistance.
Runners must bring their own re-usable, refillable water bottles.
The health and safety of the participants is paramount.
Al Marmoom Ultramarathon will be fully supported by Dubai emergency and first response services. First response will be available on the route as well as at check points and a fully equipped full time medical team will be situated in the Base Camp.
If you or another runner needs assistance, get the attention of Al Marmoom Ultramarathon organizers or marshals located along the route and the start-finish zone.
The medical team will supervise the race and assist in case of injury, dehydration or exhaustion. The medical team has authority to exclude runners who, according to their judgment, should not continue competing if there is a serious health risk to the runner.
The medical team will be patrolling the route and be situated in the finish area and on strategic points of the route, including check points.
Competitors who wish to drop out should go to the nearest hydration station and a member of the medical team. If it is not practical to go to a hydration station, wait on the course for a passing runner or marshal.
We encourage all participants to look out for each other and report to officials or the medical team if they see a runner on the route needing assistance. All decisions made by the medical team are final.
Throughout the event, you will be able to make outside contact directly from the desert.
Trophies and prizes for the top 3 rankings in each race category (male & female)
All participants will receive finisher medals.
Wednesday 8th February 2023 or when Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 2023 capacity is full.
All successfully registered participants will receive their race pack on the event day during registration.
Official results and photos for the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon will be posted on the event website and social media platforms: www.ultramarathon.ae.
Please see Al Marmoom Ultramarathon website for useful tips: www.ultramarathon.ae/useful-tips.
Race bibs
Participants must wear their race bib on the chest or stomach where it must be fully visible throughout the entire race. The race bib must always be positioned over any clothing or front pack. The race bib must not be folded or hidden at any time.
A time penalty will be imposed for any incorrectly placed bibs.
Start of race
Runners who fail to be present at the starting line when each stage begins will be penalized by the time equivalent of the delay. If the delay exceeds 30 minutes, the runner will be disqualified, and his/her ID markings will be handed over to the steward.
Route Navigation
Participants must follow the route as marked out by the organizers, passing at a maximum distance of 5 meters from the markers. Failing to do so may incur penalties. The course will be clearly marked approximately every 50-100 metres. Natural landmarks will also serve as additional points of reference. The organizers will provide briefing outlining the route conditions and there will be constant monitoring of all the runners during the race. Any participant withdrawing from the race must notify a race official as soon as possible.
Water bottles and the environment
Any water container found on the race route will incur a severe penalty. The throwing away of any food packaging or other items on the race route is strictly forbidden and will be penalized.
Maximum authorized time
Any runner who exceeds the maximum authorized time shall be disqualified and must return their bib to the steward. Any runner who arrives at a check point/finish point after the deadline shall be disqualified
Complaints
All complaints from participants must be addressed to the Race Director in writing @info@ultramarathon.ae
The official language of the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon is English. Individual competitors are solely responsible for reading and understanding all official race signs, directions, and oral instructions given by the organizer and the race officials.
You can expect the weather conditions in Dubai during January to be:
Average 8 hours of sunshine a day.
The average daytime temperature is 27 C, with midday temperatures rising to 35 C.
The average night-time temperature cools to 15 C.
Early mornings can be damp and foggy and overnight temperatures may seem lower.
Please bring appropriate clothing and race wear.
There will be designated areas for spectators to view the start and finish as well as on the Al Marmoom ultramarathon routes
Rules:
Do not obstruct or get in the way of the runners – for your safety and theirs.
Do not alter the course by moving barriers, poles in an effort to get closer to the runners or to take photographs.
Please be supportive and help make this a memorable day for our desert and ultrarunning community.
Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is a protected area, please observe all the reserve regulations including no littering whatsoever.
The base camp will be in the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve situated at the spectacular Love Lakes Dubai. Event Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Roy5cD6BPKyBHcNk7
There is plenty of parking space at the Love Lakes Dubai. Parking Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ZnynDMSGSJ1yiXMs6
AMUM takes place in a designated conservation area and there are environmental rules for everyone entering the area. Please see the event website for details: https://www.ultramarathon.ae/our-environment.html
FittGROUP reserves all exclusive rights for photo coverage of the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon. Participants agree that the organizers may have exclusive use of their identity and individual or collective pictures for anything related directly or indirectly to their participation in the race. Any still camera, video or movie coverage done during the race cannot be used by participants, their entourage or trainers for any use other than personal without prior authorization or accreditation from the organizers.
As a result, any book or film (short, feature) project must obtain the organizers prior authorization.
Cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing. If notice of cancellation is received before December 31st, 2022, you will receive a refund of the total fees you have paid minus the bank fees and the initial deposit. From January 1st, 2023, there will be no refunds. The race organizer reserves the right to modify the race schedule and/or race course due to events outside their control or for safety reasons. The race organizer may modify the race rules if necessary, in which case the competitors will be expected to accept them.
All complaints from participants must be addressed to the Race Director in writing: info@ultramarathon.ae
All complaints from participants must be addressed to the Race Director in writing: info@ultramarathon.ae
Each participant has informed themselves of any medical contraindications they may have, that may affect their participation in the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 24 Hour, 12 Hour, 6 Hour, 10KM and 5KM races, and absolves the race organizers, including FittGROUP directors, employees, crew, contractors, suppliers, partners and associates (including medical and technical staff) of any responsibility for medical problems or injuries that they may incur during the event. By signing the race rules and waiver, each participant confirms that they are aware of this and agrees explicitly not to hold the organizer liable nor to claim compensation in any way.