Ultra X Jordan 2026
- Next event : Mon, Sep 28 ➜ Fri, Oct 2, 2026Date confirmed
- Last event : Mon, Sep 29 ➜ Fri, Oct 3, 2025
The event in a few words
The film Lawrence of Arabia is considered one of the major films of cinema... 🎞️ Thanks to its landscapes! 🤩 Indeed, it was filmed in the Jordanian desert, which could well be considered one of the 7 wonders of the world! 😜 That's convenient because that's where your next adventure takes place: the Ultra X Jordan. This ultra-trail awaits you in the Wadi Rum Village, a magical place that seems straight out of another world! 🤯 One could even say another planet, as these lands are often compared to those of Mars or the Moon 🌕. Plus, in the month of October, the dry and arid weather conditions 🥵 recall the atmosphere! This stage race of 220 km and 2,522 m elevation gain is part of the prestigious UTMB® World Circuit, a challenge worthy of the most adventurous 💪. So, will you dare to take it on? 👀
Before you go rubbing (and pricking) against the cacti 🏜️ you’ll encounter in the desert, let's lay out the week's schedule for you! You'll arrive on Saturday to settle in at the hotel 🏨, and after a night of rest, you'll have a busy logistics day: briefing 📖, equipment check, and finally transfer to the base camp ⛺ in the Wadi Rum desert... 🚙 That's when it gets serious! Then you'll have 5 days of self-sufficient racing to discover the lands of sand. On Monday, the start will be at 6:30 AM (a bit early for a Monday, we agree) for 40 km and 232 m elevation gain. From the camp ⛺, you will delve into the desert. Breathtaking panoramas, rock formations on both sides, hard sand... that's what will pace the first loop of the week! 😉 On Tuesday, it's 39 km and 548 m elevation gain that will take you into the soft sand dunes of Wadi Rum, which will be the setting for your last 10 kilometers 🌞. On Wednesday, it's the big stage: 56 km and 883 m elevation gain in the "Valley of the Moon" with a start at first light 🌄. The first kilometers will be rolling, passing through dry riverbeds. You'll reach another camp at the end of the stage 🗺️. On Thursday, the penultimate day, you'll face 48 km and 468 m elevation gain and they will be worth traveling! 🥰 You'll cross a series of small canyons reminiscent of Lawrence of Arabia's hideout 🎥. Enough to become an actor in the movie for a day! 🤠 Finally, it will be time to start the last stage: 35 km, 391 m elevation gain. One last loop before you see the finish arch, the end of your adventure! 🏁
But you'll probably want to stay in Jordan after everything you've seen over the 220 km! There are must-see sites in the country: the capital, the sea, and one of the historical monuments listed among the seven wonders of the world! 🌍 To relax your legs after all those kilometers, you can visit Amman. The Jordanian capital has many ancient ruins, including the Temple of Hercules, the Umayyad Palace 🏛️, and the Roman Theatre. A bit further south, you will find the Dead Sea. This salt lake is located at the lowest point on Earth, between Jordan and Israel, and surrounded by the Negev Desert. Feel free to swim 🏊♂️, you won't risk drowning, the water is so salty you'll float on your own! 😆 And last but not least: the Lost City of Petra 👑. An ancient city carved into pink sandstone cliffs around 312 BC. You won't see that anywhere else, so don't miss out! 😉
The Ultra X Jordan is undoubtedly one of the seven most beautiful races in the world! So, when are you signing up? ✒️
4 reasons to join this race
The distance you'll all agree on
220 kmTOP
- Mon, Sep 28 ➜ Fri, Oct 2, 2026
- Elevation gain : 2522mD+
- 1 loopx220 km
A few more words
The 220 km and 2,522 mD+ will be distributed as follows over the 5 days:
- Monday, start 6:30 am: 40 km, 232 mD+
Starting from the camp ⛺, you'll immerse yourself in a long valley before emerging into the desert. Breathtaking views, rock formations on both sides, and hard sand... This will set the pace for the first loop of the week! 😉
- Tuesday, start 6:30 am: 39 km, 548 mD+
The second stage begins the same way as the first: lots of hard sand, rocky terrains 🪨 and open desert landscapes 🏜️. You'll discover the soft sand dunes of Wadi Rum, which will be the setting for your final 10 kilometers.
- Wednesday, start 4:00 am: 56 km, 883 mD+
The grand stage! Start at 4:00 am, under the starry sky 💫. You'll descend into the "Valley of the Moon" as the first light of day rises over the dunes 🌄. The initial kilometers will be hilly, passing through dry riverbeds. You'll reach another camp at the end of the stage 🗺️.
- Thursday, start 6:30 am: 47 km, 468 mD+
The fourth stage is a loop course, probably the most beautiful 🤩. You'll start by crossing a series of small rocky canyons. These bright red canyons were the hideout of Lawrence of Arabia and the only section of the course inaccessible to vehicles 🚙. The day will end with a descent onto a vast desert plain.
- Friday, start 6:30 am: 35 km, 391 mD+
The fifth and final day is again a loop route. The course includes vast open sections of the Wadi Rum desert, whose surface has been compared to Mars 🚀. After facing short climbs in the canyons, you'll see the great blue arches for the first time, a symbol of victory 🏆.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
You will receive an email inviting you to call a team member. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the event, training, food, equipment, or any other topic.
Saturday, September 26, 2026:
Arrival of runners at Queen Alia International Airport
Option to stay in the race hotel (Regency Palace Hotel) in Amman or choose your own accommodation
Sunday, September 27, 2026:
9 AM: Runner briefing at the Regency Palace Hotel in Amman
Gear check
Transfer to the base camp in the Wadi Rum desert
Monday, September 28, 2026, start at 6:30 AM:
Race begins, 40 km and 232 m elevation gain
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, start at 6:30 AM:
39 km and 548 m elevation gain
Wednesday, September 30, 2026, start at 4 AM:
56 km and 883 m elevation gain
Arrival at a new camp
Thursday, October 1, 2026, start at 6:30 AM:
47 km with 468 m ascent / 668 m descent
Arrival at a new camp
Friday, October 2, 2026, start at 6:30 AM:
35 km and 391 m elevation gain
Awards ceremony and barbecue
Saturday, October 3, 2026: 2 options
Visit the lost city of Petra in the morning and return trip to Amman at 6 PM
Return trip to Amman in the morning, arriving in the afternoon
Team entry: starting at €1,595
Solo entry: starting at €2,095
On average, you will have 2 hours and 30 minutes to cover every 10 km (between checkpoints).
To carry for each stage:
Running pack
Hydration system(s) with a minimum capacity of 1.5L of water
Durable waterproof jacket
Legionnaire-style hat protecting head and neck (or hat and buff)
Buff/scarf or similar to cover nose and mouth
High-quality headlamp with spare batteries (or second lamp)
Whistle
Watch (GPS recommended)
Basic personal first aid kit (bandages, surgical alcohol, blister kit, etc.)
Emergency food supply (minimum 800 kcal)
Phone and/or watch fully charged (with downloaded gpx files)
Any personal medication you may need
Suitable running shoes
Desert gaiters (to prevent sand entry)
Printed copy of your insurance indicating emergency contact and insurance policy number
To leave at the camp:
Warm jacket (for evenings)
Sleeping bag (8-17°C at night)
Sleeping mat
Mosquito repellent
Hand sanitizer/alcohol gel
Minimum of 2,000 kcal of food per day (dehydrated or freeze-dried foods highly recommended)
Highly recommended:
Trekking poles
Sunglasses
Sunscreen (50+ recommended)
Battery pack
Fork or similar utensil for eating
Pillow, ear plugs, and eye mask
Baby wipes, 60-200 (consider carrying during the race for toilet stops)
Shoes, casual clothes, and toiletries for the camp (flip-flops or similar)
Local currency (Jordanian dinar) for pre- and post-race meals and shopping
What's included:
Race entry
Accommodation during the race (Sunday-Saturday)
Transfers between Amman and the Wadi Rum desert
Fully marked course
Medical support throughout the event
Therapists (physios, osteopaths, and sports masseuses) throughout the event
Drinking water at checkpoints along the course and hot water for meal preparation at all camps
Ground assistance and full safety support
Opportunity to purchase event photos
UTMB Index Race (100k category)
Finisher's medal
What's not included:
Flights
Accommodation before or after the race (race hotel accommodation can be purchased as an extra)
Personal food, kit, and equipment (see kit list)
Comprehensive insurance (to cover cancellations, loss of items, injuries, etc.)
Training costs
Spending money
Transport for disqualified or early retiring runners
October temperatures are generally quite high but are considered mild for this region. It is typically dry and hot during the day and cool at night. Daytime temperatures average around 28°C but can range from 15 to 35°C. Night temperatures drop significantly, ranging from 13 to 18°C. It's important for competitors to have gear prepared for varying conditions.
Participants are allowed three bags for the week:
Main travel bag (25 kg): This main travel bag will be left at the race hotel in Amman and should contain all clothing and travel items not needed during the race. Once the participants leave for the desert on Sunday, they will not have access to this bag until returning to Amman on Saturday afternoon after the race.
Race bag (20 kg): This will be transported between camps by the race organizers and should contain everything needed for the entire event. Participants will have access to their race bag in the camping area after each stage. It must be a waterproof bag and not exceed 20 kg. Bags over 20 kg will not be allowed on the coaches when leaving for the desert. They will be weighed. Anything attached to the outside of the bag or protruding will not be transported to the desert.
Day pack: This is the bag participants will wear each day for running. Day packs should fit inside the 20 kg race bag when traveling from Amman to the desert. Day packs must also be large enough to carry the mandatory items from the gear list.
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