📅 Dates: 10–12 December 2026
📍 Race Village / Finish: Birkat Al Mouz, Al Dakhiliyah, Oman
🏔️ Distances: 154 km (Hajar Ultra) · 103 km (Jabal Classic) · 50 km (Skyward Canyon) · 32 km (Old Capital Trail) · 21.5 km (Scenic Ascent)
⛰️ Max Elevation Gain: 8,000 m+ (Hajar Ultra)
⏱️ Cutoff Times: 48 hrs (100M) · 30 hrs (100K)
🏁 Starts: Al Hamra (100M/100K) · Imti, Izki (50K) · Nizwa Fort (30K) · Race Village (20K)
🌡️ December Weather: 15–22°C days · Near-freezing nights at altitude
🏅 Series: UTMB World Series — Running Stones awarded to all finishers
📝 Registration: Open — Register at oman.utmb.world
🌐 Official Site: oman.utmb.world
There are races that take you through landscapes, and then there are races that take you through time. Oman by UTMB does the second thing. The Hajar Mountains have been here for 350 million years, give or take, and the trails that runners follow in December 2026 are roughly the same paths that Omani shepherds, frankincense traders and mountain farmers have used for centuries. When you’re running past ancient falaj irrigation channels in the dark at three in the morning, somewhere between Al Hamra and Misfat Al Abriyeen with a 48-hour cutoff still ahead of you, you feel that weight in a way that no flatland ultra can replicate.
The 2026 edition is genuinely historic. Oman by UTMB rejoins the global UTMB World Series circuit after a seven-year absence from the old Ultra-Trail World Tour, rebuilt from the ground up by the Himam Adventure team who have spent five years turning the Himam Trail Run Race into one of the Middle East’s most serious mountain running events. The 2025 Himam edition drew 4,500 runners from 68 countries. The 2026 rebrand under UTMB World Series standards elevates the flagship Hajar Ultra from 120 km to 154 km with 8,000 metres of climbing, making it one of the most demanding events on the entire World Series calendar. December in the Hajar range is cold at night and warm in the afternoon, and the mountain terrain is relentlessly technical. This is not a run. It is an expedition.
Five distances give every level of trail runner something meaningful to chase here. The Hajar Ultra (154 km, 4 Running Stones) is the summit challenge of the series, carrying direct finals access to UTMB Chamonix. The Jabal Classic (103 km) follows much of the same spine across the range. The Skyward Canyon (50 km) enters from Izki through the canyon system. The Old Capital Trail (32 km) starts at Nizwa Fort, one of Oman’s most iconic historical landmarks. The Scenic Ascent (21.5 km) launches right from the Race Village in Birkat Al Mouz. The event offers five separate race experiences on a single weekend, each one using the mountains differently.
Who should be at the start line in Al Hamra on 10 December 2026? Anyone who has seriously ticked off their local trail scene and wants their first true mountain ultra in a setting that most runners have never seen. Trail runners from India and across Asia who want a UTMB World Series race within a 4-hour flight. Experienced mountain runners chasing Running Stones for Chamonix qualification. Oman rewards the curious — the country is consistently ranked among the world’s safest, English is widely spoken, the food is excellent and the people are genuinely warm to visitors in a way that feels earned rather than performed. For many runners, this will be their first visit to Oman. For almost all of them, it won’t be the last.
Oman by UTMB 2026 — Race at a Glance
| Race | Distance | Elevation + | Start Location | Start Time | Cutoff | Running Stones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hajar Ultra (100M) | 154 km | 8,000 m+ | Al Hamra | Thu 10 Dec · 15:30 | 48 hours | 4 |
| Jabal Classic (100K) | 103 km | 5,000 m+ | Al Hamra | Thu 10 Dec · 07:00 | 30 hours | 3 |
| Skyward Canyon (50K) | 50 km | 2,400 m+ | Imti, Izki | Fri 11 Dec · 07:00 | TBC | 2 |
| Old Capital Trail (30K) | 32 km | 1,400 m+ | Nizwa Fort, Nizwa | Sat 12 Dec · 07:00 | TBC | 1 |
| Scenic Ascent (20K) | 21.5 km | 550 m+ | Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz | Sat 12 Dec · 08:00 | TBC | 1 |
What Makes Oman by UTMB Worth Running?
The Terrain Is Unlike Anything Else in the UTMB World Series
The Hajar Mountains are Arabia’s backbone — ancient limestone and dolomite ridgelines, deeply carved wadis, exposed plateau crossings and technical descents into historic villages. This is not Alps-style terrain with manicured trails and hut-to-hut comforts. The Hajar range is raw, remote and technical in ways that genuinely test your mountaincraft. The Hajar Ultra’s 8,000 metres of elevation gain over 154 km places it among the most demanding 100M events on the UTMB circuit. You will climb in full afternoon heat and descend on rocky ridgelines in the cold hours before dawn. The exposure on the high traverses is real.
A Via Ferrata Mid-Race — Yes, Really
At approximately the 87 km mark of the Hajar Ultra, the route takes runners onto a via ferrata section — a fixed-rope traverse on exposed rock that typically takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The event provides harnesses, helmets and experienced guides on-site. For most runners, this will be a first in a race setting. It’s one of those moments that separates Oman by UTMB from any other ultra on the planet. You don’t just run through the mountains here. You climb them.
History Is Literally Part of the Course
The Hajar Ultra passes through Misfat Al Abriyeen, one of Oman’s most beautifully preserved mountain villages, its stone houses stacked against the cliff face above terraced farms growing pomegranates and walnuts. The route crosses ancient falaj channels — UNESCO-recognised irrigation systems still carrying mountain water down to farms below — and passes through villages where people have lived continuously for centuries. The call to prayer echoes across the ridgelines as the trail begins to climb. Running this course is an education in how people have lived alongside these mountains for thousands of years.
A UTMB World Series Event That Earns Chamonix Access
Every finisher at Oman by UTMB earns Running Stones — the UTMB World Series currency that feeds into the finals lottery for the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc in Chamonix. The Hajar Ultra carries 4 Running Stones (the maximum for a standard World Series event). Top finishers in the 100M, 100K and 50K categories can earn direct finals access. For runners building towards Chamonix, December in Oman is a serious strategic window.
Oman Is One of the World’s Most Welcoming Race Destinations
Consistently ranked in the global top tier for safety, Oman combines a genuine lack of mass tourism with extraordinary geographic variety. You can swim in mountain wadis, walk through UNESCO-listed ancient towns and eat some of the best food in the Arabian Peninsula — all within an hour of the race village. English is widely spoken, the roads are excellent, car hire is easy and the local hospitality in mountain communities is the real thing, not a performance for visitors. For international runners making a destination trip of it, Oman rewards an extra few days before or after the race far more than most places on the UTMB calendar.
December Timing Is Perfect
The event sits at exactly the right point in the year. December is Oman’s finest month — dry, clear skies, no dust storms and temperatures that feel genuinely pleasant at altitude during the day. The mountain nights are cold enough to demand respect and proper layering but not the bone-deep cold of European winter races. For runners from India and across the Gulf region, this is an accessible top-tier mountain ultra with no multi-day flights, no extreme altitude acclimatisation needed and no January-February mud season to deal with.
The Course — Segment by Segment
The Start in Al Hamra — and the First Big Climb
Al Hamra is one of the Hajar Mountains’ most photogenic towns, a collection of multi-storey mud-brick houses built against the foot of the escarpment. The Hajar Ultra starts here at 15:30 on Thursday — a deliberately afternoon start that puts the first major climbing sequence into the early evening, when the air begins to cool and the rock face above Al Hamra turns orange and then purple in the fading light. The initial climb out of Al Hamra is steep, the trail narrow and rocky. This is not the kind of start where you settle into a comfortable rhythm. You are immediately in the mountains.
Misfat Al Abriyeen and the Stone Paths
The course passes through Misfat Al Abriyeen, a mountain village that genuinely looks like it was built into the cliff by hand — because it was. The stone paths here are centuries old, polished smooth by generations of use. Running through at night with a head torch, past sleeping houses and ancient falaj channels still carrying water, is one of those trail running moments that you don’t forget. The terrain through this section is technical: uneven stone, narrow passages, occasional steps built for goats as much as people.
The Jabal Akhdar Plateau — High and Cold
Jabal Akhdar (the Green Mountain) sits at over 2,000 metres and is the route’s highest sustained section. Up here the air thins noticeably compared to the valley floor, and the night temperatures drop hard. The plateau sections here are long and exposed, with strong winds a constant possibility. The scenery — terraced orchards producing pomegranates, walnuts and roses used in distillation — is extraordinary, even at 3 am when you’re running it primarily on stubbornness. The 100M’s extra distance over the predecessor Himam event runs deeper through this high terrain than past editions.
The Via Ferrata Section (~87 km)
Around the 87 km mark, the Hajar Ultra route hits the via ferrata. This fixed-rope climbing traverse on exposed rock takes between 10 and 15 minutes and requires using your hands as much as your feet. The event provides harnesses, helmets and experienced guides at this section — you cannot pass without using the safety equipment. By this point in the race you have been moving for well over 12 hours. Make sure your hands are warm and you’ve had something to eat before this section. The guides are there to help, but the rock is real.
The Long Technical Descent into Birkat Al Mouz
The finish in Birkat Al Mouz, the Palm Oasis, is one of trail running’s genuinely atmospheric finishes. The village sits at the foot of the escarpment, surrounded by a dense plantation of date palms fed by ancient falaj channels. The final descent from the high mountain terrain into the oasis is long and technical, the trail switching through rocky slopes before the landscape suddenly softens and greens. The Race Village is set here. When you run into the finish, you have crossed the entire eastern Hajar range from Al Hamra to the palm oasis — Arabia’s ultimate mountain traverse.
Start conservatively out of Al Hamra. The 15:30 start is deceptive — the first climb feels manageable in the cool evening air, and many runners go out too hard. The real race begins after Misfat Al Abriyeen, when the cumulative climbing starts to bite.
Night gear from the start. You will be on the mountain well before midnight. Pack your warm layer and spare headtorch where you can reach them without stopping to dig through your bag.
Prepare for the via ferrata mentally. Around 87 km in, after a long night, a technical rope traverse on exposed rock requires focus. Take 5 minutes before this section to eat, warm your hands and reset mentally. Rushing through it is how people get hurt.
Day heat is a real factor. The 100K starts at 07:00 and runners will be in full sun on exposed ridgelines by mid-morning. Sunscreen SPF 50+ is mandatory kit — but more importantly, it’s essential. Carry your Saharan cap and put it on before sunrise, not after you’ve already overheated.
Trekking poles are strongly recommended for both the 100M and 100K. The descents are long and rocky. Your quads will thank you from around hour 10 onwards.
Water management is critical. Aid stations exist, but mandatory minimum carry is 2 litres for the 100M and 100K. Between stations in the high terrain the distances are long and the effort is higher than the flat equivalent. Drink before you feel thirsty.
Registration — How to Enter Oman by UTMB 2026
Registration for Oman by UTMB 2026 is open. The priority window (9–11 February 2026) was reserved for runners with a valid UTMB Index. General entry opened 11 February 2026 at 11:00 AM CET and remains open subject to availability. Places are limited and expected to fill quickly given the race’s UTMB World Series status. There is no waiting list — once a distance sells out, it’s closed.
To register, you need a MyUTMB account with your race results correctly linked to your profile. Current entry fees are listed at the registration portal — see the link below. The Hajar Ultra (100M) requires a minimum UTMB Index performance qualification to enter.
| Race | Distance | Running Stones | Status | UTMB Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hajar Ultra | 154 km | 4 | Open | 100M |
| Jabal Classic | 103 km | 3 | Open | 100K |
| Skyward Canyon | 50 km | 2 | Open | 50K |
| Old Capital Trail | 32 km | 1 | Open | 20K |
| Scenic Ascent | 21.5 km | 1 | Open | 20K |
Register at the official UTMB portal →
Entry fees are non-refundable. Registration transfers to a shorter distance are possible up to three weeks before the event; transfers to a longer distance are at the race director’s discretion and not guaranteed.
If Oman by UTMB 2026 is cancelled or postponed due to force majeure (extreme weather, government restrictions, public health emergency or other events beyond the organiser’s control), registered runners may defer their entry to the 2027 edition only. Deferrals apply to the same distance and for the immediately following edition. Entry fees are non-refundable in force majeure situations.
There is no waiting list once a distance closes. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
Race Weekend Schedule — Oman by UTMB 2026
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 5 Dec | 10:00–22:00 | Race Pack Collection | Muscat (location TBC) |
| Sun 6 Dec | 10:00–22:00 | Race Pack Collection | Muscat (location TBC) |
| Tue 8 Dec | 10:00–22:00 | Race Pack Collection | Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz |
| Wed 9 Dec | 10:00–22:00 | Race Pack Collection | Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz |
| Thu 10 Dec | 07:00 | 🚩 Jabal Classic 100K — Race Start | Al Hamra |
| Thu 10 Dec | 10:00–22:00 | Race Pack Collection (50K / 30K / 20K runners) | Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz |
| Thu 10 Dec | 15:30 | 🚩 Hajar Ultra 100M — Race Start | Al Hamra |
| Thu 10 Dec | ~19:00 | 🏁 First Arrival — Jabal Classic 100K (Men) | Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz |
| Thu 10 Dec | ~21:00 | 🏁 First Arrival — Jabal Classic 100K (Women) | Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz |
| Fri 11 Dec | 07:00 | 🚩 Skyward Canyon 50K — Race Start | Imti, Izki |
| Fri 11 Dec | ~11:00 | 🏁 First Arrival — Skyward Canyon 50K (Men) | Race Village |
| Fri 11 Dec | ~12:30 | 🏁 First Arrival — Skyward Canyon 50K (Women) | Race Village |
| Fri 11 Dec | ~15:30 | 🏁 First Arrival — Hajar Ultra 100M (Women) | Race Village |
| Fri 11 Dec | 19:00 | 🏆 Awards Ceremony — 100M, 100K and 50K | Race Village |
| Sat 12 Dec | 07:00 | 🚩 Old Capital Trail 30K — Race Start | Nizwa Fort, Nizwa |
| Sat 12 Dec | 08:00 | 🚩 Scenic Ascent 20K — Race Start | Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz |
| Sat 12 Dec | 11:00 | 🏆 Awards Ceremony — 30K and 20K | Race Village |
| Fri 18 Dec | 06:30–10:00 | Fun and Kids Races (1–10 km) | Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz |
Expo and Race Pack Collection
Muscat (location TBC): Saturday 5 December and Sunday 6 December · 10:00–22:00. This Muscat option is ideal for runners arriving into Muscat International Airport on race weekend. The exact venue will be confirmed by organisers closer to the date — monitor oman.utmb.world/runners/event-schedule for updates.
Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz: Tuesday 8 December through Thursday 10 December · 10:00–22:00 daily. The 30K and 20K runners (starting Saturday 12 December) can also collect their packs on Friday 11 December during race day.
Important: All mandatory gear must be carried in one bag, which is tagged at bib collection. This bag cannot be changed during the race. Race officials conduct equipment checks at any point — including on the course itself. Failure to carry mandatory gear results in penalties or disqualification.
Mandatory Gear Check Items (100M/100K): Running pack · Smartphone (LiveTrail app installed, airplane mode forbidden) · 2 litres water minimum · Closed trail running shoes · First aid kit · Survival blanket (140×200 cm+) · Whistle · Two torches with spare batteries · 800 kcal emergency food · Waterproof jacket (10,000 Schmerber+ / RET below 13) · Warm second layer · Waterproof overpants · Personal cup (150 ml+) · Reusable bowl · Saharan cap · Sunglasses · Sunscreen SPF 50+ · ID (passport or national ID card)
The LiveTrail app must be installed and activated on your smartphone before the race starts. Your phone must remain on at all times — airplane mode is explicitly forbidden and results in penalties. An external battery is strongly recommended for the 100M and 100K given the duration. International roaming must be active for use in Oman. Sort this out at home before you travel, not at bib collection.
Weather — Hajar Mountains in December
| Condition | Daytime (Altitude) | Night (High Ridgelines) | Wind | Rain Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical | 15–22°C | 4–8°C (can near zero on exposed summits) | Strong gusts on ridge traverses | Low — but storms possible in exposed mountain zones |
December is Oman’s best running month. The Arabian summer heat has completely left the mountains and the skies are clear and dry. The challenge at race altitude is the day-to-night temperature swing, which is extreme — you can start the Hajar Ultra in afternoon warmth and be on an exposed traverse at 2,000 metres at 2 am in near-freezing temperatures with a wind chill that makes your mandatory jacket feel underdressed. Both the warm second layer and the waterproof overpants (mandatory for 100M/100K/50K) exist for a reason: use them before you need them, not after. Daytime on the high plateaus means full sun exposure on light-coloured limestone, which reflects heat upward as well as down. The Saharan cap and SPF 50+ sunscreen are mandatory for all distances.
Prize Money and Elite Information
| Category | Prize Money (2026) | Running Stones | Finals Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hajar Ultra 100M | Not yet announced | 4 per finisher | Direct access for top finishers |
| Jabal Classic 100K | Not yet announced | 3 per finisher | Direct access for top finishers |
| Skyward Canyon 50K | Not yet announced | 2 per finisher | Via Running Stones lottery |
| Old Capital Trail 30K | Not yet announced | 1 per finisher | Via Running Stones lottery |
| Scenic Ascent 20K | Not yet announced | 1 per finisher | Via Running Stones lottery |
Running Stones are awarded automatically to all finishers and appear in your MyUTMB account after the race. They feed directly into the lottery for the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc Finals in Chamonix. The more Stones you accumulate across World Series events, the higher your probability of selection for Chamonix. Top finishers in the 100M and 100K categories can earn direct finals access, bypassing the lottery. An UTMB Index score is also assigned to every finisher based on their performance, which can be used to access priority registration at future World Series events.
Prize money for 2026 had not been publicly announced at the time of publication. The UTMB World Series HOKA prize purse applies at the Chamonix Finals. Check oman.utmb.world for prize money updates as the December race date approaches.
Awards ceremony dress code: Shorts and sleeveless tops are not appropriate at the prizegiving ceremony. Smart-casual dress is expected, in keeping with local Omani customs and the formal nature of the occasion.
Past Results — Course Pedigree (Himam Trail Run 2025)
Oman by UTMB 2026 is a new name on a proven course system. The 2025 edition ran as the Himam Trail Run Race (11–12 December 2025), organised by the same Himam team now delivering the UTMB World Series event. Over 4,500 runners from 68 countries competed across all distances. The 2025 course distances were slightly different from the 2026 UTMB editions — the Hajar Ultra ran as a 120 km event versus the expanded 154 km in 2026.
Hajar Ultra 120K — Himam Trail Run 2025
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st — Men | Ayyoub Ahmed | Morocco 🇲🇦 | 14:44:01 |
| 2nd — Men | Victor Guerdin | France 🇫🇷 | 15:08:13 |
| 3rd — Men | Saleh Al Saidi | Oman 🇴🇲 | 17:11:22 |
| 1st — Women | Maite Mayora | Spain 🇪🇸 | 19:02:45 |
| 2nd — Women | Wenfei Xie | China 🇨🇳 | 20:12:57 |
| 3rd — Women | Tatiana Fedoseeva | Russia 🇷🇺 | 20:13:23 |
Skyward Canyon 60K — Himam Trail Run 2025
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st — Men | Amjad Aljamoudi | Oman 🇴🇲 | 05:46:16 |
| 2nd — Men | Navil Shaimukhametov | Russia 🇷🇺 | — |
| 3rd — Men | Vlad Ixel | Australia 🇦🇺 | — |
| 1st — Women | Clara Magnin | France 🇫🇷 | 08:20:24 |
| 2nd — Women | Claire Stone | United Kingdom 🇬🇧 | — |
| 3rd — Women | Jordanka Petrushevska | North Macedonia 🇲🇰 | — |
Old Capital Trail 35K — Himam Trail Run 2025 (Women)
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st — Women | Zahra Ashoori | Iran 🇮🇷 | 04:54:49 |
| 2nd — Women | Aurelie Braux | France 🇫🇷 | — |
| 3rd — Women | Leila Knight | South Africa 🇿🇦 | — |
Note: 2025 was the Himam Trail Run Race — the direct predecessor event on the same course system, organised by the same Himam team. The 2026 Oman by UTMB distances have been expanded. Full 2025 results at oman.utmb.world.
Spectator Guide — Where to Watch Oman by UTMB
Spectating at Oman by UTMB requires planning but pays off well. The Race Village in Birkat Al Mouz is the natural hub — it’s where all races finish and where the awards ceremonies are held. The start in Al Hamra (about 2 hours by road from the Race Village) is worth attending if you want to see the 100M/100K field set off into the mountains. Al Hamra itself is photogenic enough to justify the drive even without a race on.
| Location | What You See | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race Village, Birkat Al Mouz | All finishes · Awards ceremonies · Start of Scenic Ascent 20K | All spectators | Main hub · Palm oasis setting · All facilities here |
| Al Hamra | 100M and 100K race starts | Thu 10 Dec — 06:30 for 100K; 14:45 for 100M | ~2 hrs from Race Village by road · Stunning mud-brick town backdrop |
| Misfat Al Abriyeen | Runners on ancient stone paths through the village | Night viewing — 100M runners pass in the evening/night | Only accessible by foot or 4WD on the final section · Limited parking |
| Nizwa Fort, Nizwa | Old Capital Trail 30K start | Sat 12 Dec · 06:30 arrival | Nizwa Fort is one of Oman’s most impressive historical sites — worth the early start |
| Izki (Imti area) | Skyward Canyon 50K start | Fri 11 Dec · 06:30 arrival | Scenic canyon entry point · Limited spectator infrastructure |
Live tracking via the LiveTrail app is available for all races. This is your best tool for following runners in real time on the course. The Race Village in Birkat Al Mouz has the most organised spectator access — it’s the only point where you can guarantee seeing all races. For mountain viewpoints en route, a hire car (ideally a 4WD for some mountain road sections) gives you the flexibility to access multiple spots. Don’t attempt to cut across mountain terrain on foot to reach the course without proper hiking gear and navigation. The Hajar Mountains are remote and technical outside of marked trails.
Where to Stay for Oman by UTMB 2026
| Zone | Property / Area | Distance to Race Village | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Race Village | Bait AlSabah Heritage Inn and Cafe, Birkat Al Mouz | Walking distance | Heritage inn · Budget-mid | Only property in the village itself · Book early — it’s tiny |
| Nizwa (closest town) | Golden Tulip Nizwa | ~15 km / 20 min | 4-star hotel | Most popular runner option · Good facilities · Book months ahead |
| Nizwa | IntercityHotel Nizwa | ~15 km / 20 min | 3-star business hotel | Reliable mid-range option · Central Nizwa location |
| Nizwa | Nizwa Hotel Apartments | ~15 km / 20 min | Self-catering apartments | Good for groups or crews needing kitchen facilities |
| Nizwa | Falaj Daris Hotel | ~15 km / 20 min | 3-star hotel | Near Falaj Daris Park · Good Nizwa Fort access |
| Jabal Al Akhdar (Luxury) | Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort | ~30 km / 45 min | 5-star luxury resort | Sits at 2,000 m · Cliff-edge views · Pre/post race experience |
| Jabal Al Akhdar (Luxury) | Alila Jabal Akhdar | ~30 km / 45 min | 5-star luxury resort | Infinity pool overlooking canyon · Best post-race recovery option |
| Muscat (city base) | Full range of international hotel brands | ~150 km / 2 hrs | All categories | Ideal for bib collection days (5–6 Dec) · Best flight connections |
Book accommodation as early as possible. Nizwa hotels will fill up with runners and their crews well ahead of race weekend, and the Jabal Al Akhdar luxury resorts are in high demand during December regardless of the race. If you are basing yourself in Nizwa, a hire car is essential — public transport connections to the Race Village and mountain start points are not reliable enough for race logistics.
International Runners — Visa and Travel to Oman
Visa Requirements
| Nationality | Visa Type | Where to Apply | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian passport holders | e-Visa (online) | evisa.rop.gov.om | OMR 5 (10-day) or OMR 20 (30-day) | 10 or 30 days |
| Indians with US / UK / Canada / Australia / Japan / Schengen visa | Visa on arrival (14-day free entry) | Oman immigration on arrival | Free (14 days) or OMR 5 (10-day) | Up to 14 days |
| Most European / North American / Australian nationals | Visa on arrival or e-Visa | Check evisa.rop.gov.om | Varies by nationality | Up to 30 days |
| GCC nationals (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar) | Visa-free entry | N/A | Free | Up to 30 days |
Passport validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival. Passports must be machine-readable. Effective 1 February 2026, the “OK to Board” requirement is no longer needed for passengers holding a valid e-Visa with QR code — a welcome simplification for last-minute travellers.
From India: Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad and other major Indian cities to Muscat International Airport (MCT). Airlines include Air India, IndiGo, Oman Air and flydubai. Journey time is approximately 3.5–4 hours. Return fares typically range from ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 depending on airline and how far in advance you book.
From the Gulf region: Oman is directly accessible by road from the UAE (Dubai to Muscat is approximately 4.5 hours). Multiple daily flight options from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
From Europe / USA: Oman Air operates direct connections from London Heathrow and other European hubs. The Middle East hub airlines (Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad) all connect through their hubs with seamless onward connections to Muscat.
Muscat Airport to Race Village (Birkat Al Mouz): Approximately 150 km by road — roughly 2 hours on excellent dual carriageway and mountain highway. Car hire at Muscat Airport starts at around ₹2,500–4,000 per day (Indian licence accepted for short-term visitors). Event shuttle services are also provided between Muscat and the Race Village — check oman.utmb.world/runners/event-schedule for shuttle timings.
Currency: Omani Rial (OMR). 1 OMR is approximately ₹220–230 INR (2026) and roughly $2.60 USD. It’s one of the world’s highest-valued currencies — budget accordingly. Cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels but carry at least 10 OMR cash for mountain areas and smaller towns.
A Short History of Trail Running in Oman
Organised trail running in the Hajar Mountains began in earnest with the Oman by UTMB events of the late 2010s, which were part of the original Ultra-Trail World Tour under the race’s earlier incarnation. That partnership ended around 2018–2019, and for several years the event ran independently under various formats. The Himam Adventure team stepped in as organisers in 2021 and spent five years building the Himam Trail Run Race into a serious regional and then international event. By 2025 the race had grown to 4,500 runners from 68 countries across five distances, with strong fields of international elites and a deep local base of Omani mountain runners who have grown up competing on these exact trails.
The return to the UTMB World Series in 2026 was confirmed in November 2025, announced alongside the Zugspitz Ultra Trail in Germany as two new additions to the global circuit. For Oman it represents a meaningful validation of the work the Himam team has done since 2021 and a connection back to the race’s original international identity. The decision to expand the flagship distance from 120 km (Himam 2025) to 154 km with 8,000 metres of gain was a deliberate signal: Oman by UTMB is not just adopting a brand. It is building one of the most demanding 100M events on the World Series calendar.
The Hajar Mountains themselves have been a running landscape for far longer than any organised race. The ancient trail network crossing the range was built by farmers, traders and shepherds over millennia — the same falaj irrigation systems that fed these communities have been in continuous use for over 3,000 years and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you run through Al Hamra at 2 am and the village is quiet and the only sound is your feet on stone paths worn smooth by ten thousand years of use, you are aware of being a very small and very temporary part of a very long story.
FatMarathoner Verdict — Oman by UTMB 2026
Oman by UTMB 2026 is the most exciting new addition to the UTMB World Series calendar in years. The combination of a genuinely world-class mountain setting, a race history built on five years of careful development by the Himam team and the prestige of the World Series framework makes this a standout event for anyone who takes trail running seriously.
The Hajar Ultra at 154 km and 8,000 m of gain is an honest test. The terrain is technical, the day-to-night temperature swings are extreme, the via ferrata at 87 km is unique in the World Series and the 48-hour cutoff leaves no room for complacency. This is not a race that punishes underprepared runners politely.
For runners from India and across South and Southeast Asia, the geographic argument is overwhelming: a UTMB World Series event with 4 Running Stones and finals access, within a 4-hour flight from most major Indian cities, in a country that is genuinely safe, welcoming and beautiful to spend time in. The infrastructure is strong, English is widely spoken and the post-race extension into Oman’s broader landscape — wadis, desert, coast — is exactly what you want after 48 hours in the mountains.
The shorter distances (50K, 30K, 20K) are genuinely excellent race experiences in their own right, not consolation entries. The Old Capital Trail starting at Nizwa Fort is one of the best 30K race settings on the global trail calendar. Spectating across the full weekend is viable and rewarding in ways that most mountain events don’t allow.
Our rating: 9/10 — a world-class event in an extraordinary landscape. Book your flight and sort your visa. This one is worth the journey.
How Oman by UTMB Compares to Other Major Trail Ultras
| Race | Location | Distance (Flagship) | D+ | UTMB Series? | Timing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oman by UTMB | Hajar Mountains, Oman | 154 km | 8,000 m+ | Yes — 4 Stones | December | Unique Arabia terrain, visa-friendly, warm/cold contrast |
| HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc | Chamonix, France | 171 km | 10,000 m+ | Yes — Finals event | August | Pinnacle of trail running — requires Stones/qualification |
| Transgrancanaria | Gran Canaria, Spain | 128 km | 8,800 m+ | No | March | European trail runners, coastal-to-mountain terrain |
| TransLantau by UTMB | Lantau Island, Hong Kong | 100 km | 6,000 m+ | Yes — 3 Stones | November | Asia-based runners, humid coastal terrain |
| Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB | Grindelwald, Switzerland | 101 km | 6,600 m+ | Yes — 3 Stones | July | Alpine classic, Eiger North Face backdrop |
| Jordan Trail Ultra | Petra region, Jordan | varies | varies | No | Spring / Autumn | Cultural immersion, desert terrain, Middle East runners |
Oman by UTMB 2026 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is Oman by UTMB and how is it different from the old Himam Trail Run?
Oman by UTMB is the official UTMB World Series event in Oman, returning to the global trail running circuit in December 2026 after a seven-year absence from the previous Ultra-Trail World Tour. It is organised by the same Himam Adventure team that built the Himam Trail Run Race into a 4,500-runner international event between 2021 and 2025. The key differences in 2026 are the UTMB World Series branding and structure (Running Stones, UTMB Index, qualification pathways to Chamonix Finals), the expanded flagship distance (154 km with 8,000 m+ gain, up from 120 km in 2025) and the addition of a new 103 km Jabal Classic distance. The course geography, organising team and race village location in Birkat Al Mouz remain the same.
How hard is the Hajar Ultra — what experience do you need?
The Hajar Ultra is one of the most demanding events on the UTMB World Series calendar. Its 154 km distance with 8,000 metres of elevation gain over a 48-hour cutoff, on technical rocky mountain terrain with extreme temperature swings and a via ferrata section at the 87 km mark, requires genuine mountain running experience. UTMB sets minimum performance qualifications via the UTMB Index for the 100M category. If you are newer to ultras or mountain running, the Skyward Canyon (50K) or Old Capital Trail (32K) are serious but more accessible entry points to the same landscape. Completing either of those and earning Running Stones is a legitimate pathway towards the Hajar Ultra in future editions.
Do Indian passport holders need a visa to run Oman by UTMB?
Yes. Indian passport holders must apply for an Oman e-Visa before travelling. Apply online through the Royal Oman Police portal at evisa.rop.gov.om. Options are a 10-day visa (OMR 5, approximately ₹1,100) or a 30-day visa (OMR 20, approximately ₹4,400). Indians holding a valid visa from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan or a Schengen country can get a free 14-day visa on arrival at Muscat International Airport without pre-applying. Allow 3–7 working days for e-Visa processing and apply well before your travel date.
Where do all five races finish — and how do spectators follow runners?
All five races finish at the Race Village in Birkat Al Mouz, the Palm Oasis in the Al Dakhiliyah region. This is the central spectator hub for the entire event. Live tracking for all runners is available via the LiveTrail app throughout each race. The races start from four different locations (Al Hamra for the 100M/100K, Imti Izki for the 50K, Nizwa Fort for the 30K and the Race Village itself for the 20K Scenic Ascent). Spectators with hire cars can move between start points and the Race Village to catch runners at multiple points on the course.
What is the mandatory gear requirement and when is it checked?
Mandatory gear is checked at bib collection, where your bag is tagged. It can also be checked at any point during the race by race officials. The full mandatory list varies by distance — the 100M and 100K carry the most extensive requirements including two torches with spare batteries, a waterproof jacket meeting specific breathability standards, warm second layer, waterproof overpants, reusable bowl, 2 litres minimum water and the LiveTrail-equipped smartphone (airplane mode forbidden throughout the race). Failure to carry any mandatory item results in time penalties or disqualification. Gear checks on the course itself are a real possibility. See the full mandatory kit list at oman.utmb.world/runners/gear.
Can I spectate or crew for a runner at Oman by UTMB?
The Race Village in Birkat Al Mouz is fully accessible to spectators and crew throughout the event. The course itself is a mountain environment and most sections are not easily accessible except at designated aid stations and the start/finish. The most practical crewing approach is to base yourself at the Race Village, use the LiveTrail app to track your runner’s position and time arrivals at the finish. If you want to reach mountain sections of the course, a 4WD hire car is recommended for some of the access roads in the Hajar range, and local knowledge of mountain driving is essential.