Jordan Running Adventure Race 2026

Oh yes, Petra isn't just in a glass! 🍻

Well, if you didn’t get the pun, that’s a good sign ✅. Otherwise, no worries, you’re in the right place to work off all your “knowledge” by running a few miles 👀 (drinking alcohol is dangerous for your health, be sure to consume it in moderation ⚠️). The event in question is none other than the splendid Jordan Running Adventure Race, which takes place annually in February, between Petra and Wadi Rum. An event offering several courses, ranging from a long trail to an ultra-trail 🏃‍♂️, that will let you discover all of southern Jordan, somewhere between the Gulf of Aqaba, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. These names likely evoke thoughts of hot sand 🏖️, the sun, and vast burning deserts. For your greatest pleasure, we will tell you more about this local race ⬇️. 

At the starting line, there are no more than a hundred participants 🏁. Enthusiasts of sensations, landscapes, and high-level athletes gather around the small Nabataean city of Petra 🕌. You can only be amazed by the charm and grandeur emanating from these architectures (listed among one of the 7 new wonders of the world 🤩). Regarding the courses, you have two options: stage courses or "non-stop" courses 🤘. In the first case, you can choose between several distances of 100 km, 83 km, or 60 km 🤔. It's up to you to decide how far you want to push yourself 😎. Between each day of effort, you can relax and unwind in bivouac camps perfectly suited to your needs ⛺️. A nice soft mattress, a little bubble of comfort, where you can spare a thought for those on the "185 km non-stop" 💭. Our friends on the 185 km won't have the same treatment. For them, it's all about the race 🎯, so no sleep programmed ❌. As the name suggests, the "non-stop" course is done in one go, in autonomy 🐪, and requires a lot of preparation 😅. And as if that weren't enough, you also need to add 2,600 mD+ to the initial mileage, just to work the entire posterior muscle chain 🦵. Anyway, whatever your race, you will cross desert landscapes, historic ancient sites 🧱, and tread the burning sand of the Middle East. And that's quite an adventure! 🕶️

To complete your stay, the organization also plans tourist visits that will add a touch of discovery and culture 📖 to your effort. You will have the chance to visit the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, and visit the Little Petra before the race 🚶. But if you wish to extend your tourist experience 🎒, you can discover the surrounding architectural marvels: the remnants of Bab edh-Dhra, Tall Hujayrat Al-Ghuzlanb, or the castle of Qasr Al-Abd are ideal for that. If you're more of a nighttime visitor 🌙, you can also retrace your steps to observe Petra by candlelight 🕯️. The perception of the place becomes completely different and it feels as if you've traveled back in time 🕰️. To immerse yourself further in the customs of the time, feel free to take donkey, horse, or camel rides. After covering a hundred miles, it won’t hurt to rest your legs 😴. Once you've explored the region, why not cross the border to the west and visit the Ras Mohamed Natural Reserve in Egypt 🇪🇬. You can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling 🤿, and stroll along a unique maritime façade. In the south of Aqaba, another border is waiting for you, the one with Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦. New reserves open their arms to you 🌴: the Prince Mohammed Royal Reserve, the King Salman Royal Natural Reserve or the Imam Turki Royal Reserve. If you have some energy left, you can even compete against the region's racing champions: the Saudi gazelles and ostriches 🏎️.

We could tell you many more great stories about Petra and its environment, but it's best if you form your own opinion 😉. So put on your snow shoes flip-flops 🩴 and come visit the Jordanians next February ☃️