Lace up your trainers for AlUla's first Desert Blaze
It’s among the toughest physical challenges in the world…
You’ve heard of sports challenges and races being brutal, but surely not like this. The very first AlUla Desert Blaze is almost upon us, and if you’re looking for ways to challenge yourself as an athlete, this is the one for you.
Happening on Saturday August 26, the historic city of AlUla will commence what has to be the ultimate racing event where regional and global athletes will be taking part in the newest, hottest and most intense endurance race.
Registration is now open online here starting at SAR50, with winners being able to take home cash prizes worth SAR110,000 (US$30,000).
The challenge will have athletes run in the scorching AlUla heat for varying lengths starting at 5 kilometres and ending at 42 kilometres. The minimum age for each race is different depending on the length.
Participants will be running through the stunning AlUla landscapes in soaring temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius. Men and women of all fitness levels are welcome to take part in the event and be among the very first individuals taking part in the event.
For the five, 10, and 21-kilometre races, the excitement will kick off in the historic Hegra, Saudi’s first UNESCO Heritage Site, while the 42-kilometre one will begin in the heart of the Ashar Valley at Maraya.
Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer at the Royal Commission for AlUla said: “AlUla Desert Blaze is not just a race; it’s a unique and transformative experience.”
The races will take place on asphalt/tarred roads or compact gravel/sand roads, with no trails, scrambling or mountaineering involved, so it’s safe to say that this challenge is not for the faint-hearted.
AlUla Desert Blaze, Hegra and Ashar Valley. Book your spot here.
Images: Provided