Event spread across six categories – 100km ultramarathon, 50km marathon, 20km half marathon, 10km fun run, and 1.4km kids’ race – on February 23 & 24
ALULA, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA-: AlUla Trail Race, an invigorating pursuit through beautiful landscapes that pass by the most famous landmarks of stunning AlUla, returns this year to bring together sport, heritage, and nature for more than 1,000 athletes.
Spread across six categories – a 100km ultramarathon, a 50km marathon, a 20km half marathon, a 10km fun run, and a 1.4km kids’ race – AlUla Trail Race takes place on Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24.
Designated trail routes enable participants to enjoy the art of the award-winning Maraya, the world’s largest mirrored building, the naturally carved wonder of Elephant Rock, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, and all the beauty of the desert.
AlUla Trail Race continues a unique calendar of diverse sporting events across AlUla Moments season – including world class polo, cycling, endurance horse racing, and camel racing.
Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer at The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), said: “AlUla Trail Race provides the most spectacular and enriching way to explore the joys of AlUla. With races for all ages and abilities, AlUla Trail Race connects the importance of physical activity with the most glorious and breathtaking of natural settings, enabling an experience like no other that will leave memories to last a lifetime.
“In addition to the races, a fantastic weekend is planned, with a welcome party and post-race events at AlUla Old Town Amphitheatre.”
The 100km Sharaan Trail ultra-running adventure enables competitors to be among the first to run through Sharaan Nature Reserve and its natural wonders, while the 50km Ashar Vallery Trail winds through breathtaking landscapes of Ashar Valley canyons. Both races are for competitors aged 18 and above.
Elephant Rock Trail, with a 20km pursuit from AlUla’s most iconic natural rock formation, winding past farms, and through desert and mountain trails, is designed for those aged 16 and above.
AlUla Oasis Trail, meanwhile, is a 10km run for those aged 12 and above that begins and ends in the heart of AlUla Old Town, with a scenic-filled journey through the farms of AlUla Oasis in between.
For something more serene, the Sunset Run, a pre-race 2km easy run as the sun drifts below the stunning AlUla horizon, takes place on Thursday, February 23.
And with something for everyone in mind, the Arabian Leopard Kids’ Run is for children aged 5 to 11, where young kids will enjoy a fun, Arabian Leopard-themed 1.4 km dash through AlUla Old Town.