Dead Sea Marathon 2027: The Complete Race Guide to the Lowest Race on Earth

There are bucket-list marathons and then there is the Dead Sea Marathon. No other certified road race on the planet starts this deep underground — roughly 430 metres below sea level — on a narrow gravel dike that splits the southern Dead Sea basin between Israel and Jordan. The dike is a restricted security zone for 364 days of the year. The permits that open it to runners are granted just once, and the people who run it know exactly how rare that access is.

The 2027 edition follows a 2026 race that drew close to 8,000 runners and put this event firmly back on the international running calendar. The field is a mix of Israeli club runners, international bucket-list chasers and a growing number of regional athletes from Jordan, the UAE and beyond who make the short hop across to compete at a location you simply cannot replicate anywhere else. The course is flat and fast — 22 metres of total elevation gain across the full marathon — which means personal bests are absolutely on the table if you manage the unique conditions right.

What those conditions actually feel like is something you have to experience once to really understand. The air at 430 metres below sea level is denser, the oxygen concentration is marginally higher and the atmospheric pressure is noticeably different. Your lungs feel oddly comfortable early in the race. Then, around kilometre 20, the Dead Sea itself opens up on both sides of you — turquoise brine on the left, Jordanian Moab Mountains rising in terracotta behind it, Judean Desert cliffs to the right — and you remember that you are, quite literally, running across the bottom of the world.

This guide covers everything you need for 2027: the course in detail, how to register before it sells out, the race weekend schedule, where to stay in Ein Bokek and how to get there from Tel Aviv or Ben Gurion Airport. Whether you are targeting a new PB or simply want to tick off one of the most extraordinary running experiences on Earth, this is the guide you need.

Race at a Glance

What Makes the Dead Sea Marathon Worth Running?

You Are Literally Running on a Restricted Border Zone

The dike that forms the backbone of the marathon course is the operational border between Israeli and Jordanian sections of the Dead Sea. It belongs to Dead Sea Works, an industrial facility, and on any normal day it is accessible only to security forces and factory employees. The Israeli government grants permits for sporting use exactly once per year — for this race. That access is not something you can recreate by turning up at the Dead Sea on any other weekend. It is a genuine once-a-year window into a part of the world that barely anyone sees, and that makes it unlike any other running event in the region.

One of the Flattest Certified Marathons on Earth

Total elevation gain across the 42.2km course is just 22 metres. For context, the Dubai Marathon — widely regarded as one of the world’s fastest road courses — has around 60 metres of gain. The Dead Sea course is almost perfectly flat, which means anyone targeting a PB or first-time sub-4 has a genuinely good shot here, provided they handle the terrain and conditions correctly. The caveat is real: this is mostly unpaved gravel and dirt with potholes and cracks, so a stable trail or hybrid shoe is essential, and the surface will slow you down compared to a tarmac-only race.

February Conditions Are Actually Very Good for Running

People hear “Dead Sea” and assume extreme desert heat. In February, the reality is very different. Average race-morning temperatures at the 6:15 start are typically in the 13-16°C range, climbing toward 20-22°C by mid-morning. The sun is present but not brutal, and because the race starts early, even marathon runners who take four-plus hours will finish before the temperature really rises. It is genuinely one of the more comfortable weather windows in the Middle East for a road marathon.

The Scenery Earns its Own Entry in Your Running Diary

Nothing prepares you for what it looks like when the Dead Sea opens up on both sides of the dike. The water is a deep, almost unnatural teal. The salt crystallisations along the shoreline are bone-white and angular. On clear days — which February usually delivers — you can see the rust-coloured Moab Mountains across the Jordanian side in perfect clarity. Behind you, to the west, the Judean Desert cliffs rise into a pale blue sky. There is no crowd noise, no city backdrop, no familiar urban streetscape. Just the sound of footsteps, the crunch of gravel and one of the most extraordinary landscapes any runner is ever likely to cross on foot.

Post-Race Recovery Is Built Into the Location

You finish, collect your medal, and then you walk to a hotel and float in the Dead Sea. The water is approximately 9.6 times saltier than the ocean and rich in magnesium, potassium and bromide. It is genuinely one of the most effective passive recovery environments in the world for tired legs and salt-depleted muscles. Every hotel in Ein Bokek has Dead Sea access, most have spas and several have dedicated mineral pools. Combine a post-race float with a Dead Sea mud treatment and you will feel surprisingly good by Saturday morning.

The Race Weekend Has Real Energy

The marathon is on a Friday morning, which in Israel is the start of the weekend. The energy around Ein Bokek on Thursday evening — Expo open, Salomon shakout run on the promenade, pasta dinner for hotel guests — is warm and communal. The field skews heavily Israeli but the international contingent has grown year on year, with runners coming from the US, UK, Europe, Jordan and other parts of the Middle East. The finish area ceremony, the Dead Sea backdrop and the very particular pride of having run the lowest race on Earth gives this event a finish-line atmosphere you remember for a long time.

The Course — Kilometre by Kilometre

Kilometres 0-5: Out of Ein Bokek and Onto the Dike

The gun goes at 06:15 and within the first kilometre you leave the Ein Bokek promenade and transition onto the gravel. This early section is when you feel the course surface most acutely because your legs are fresh and you notice every crack, stone and uneven patch. The smart move here is to run slightly conservatively on pace — the surface demands attention and saving energy for the mental effort of navigating it will pay off later. By kilometre 3 you have your first aid station. The Dead Sea basin is opening up around you and the Judean Desert cliffs are beginning to glow in the early morning light. Do not push here regardless of how good you feel.

Kilometres 5-15: Into the Sea

This is the section that makes the race. The dike narrows to as little as six metres in places and the Dead Sea sits on both sides of you — Israeli basin to the left, Jordanian basin to the right. The Moab Mountains across in Jordan are directly ahead and the pink pre-dawn light catches the white salt formations along the waterline. It is genuinely surreal. The terrain is still flat but the surface becomes slightly looser in places and the wind that funnels between the two basins can be noticeable. Aid stations at 6.5km and 9km keep you hydrated. By kilometre 10 you are deep into the dike with water on all sides and the bustle of Ein Bokek behind you.

Kilometres 15-25: Mid-Race Rhythm

The course loops through the southern basin and this middle section is where you find your race rhythm. Aid stations with energy supplies — dates, pretzels, bananas, oranges and some gels — come regularly. The flat profile means you are not fighting inclines, but the relentless gravel surface and the psychological weight of being quite isolated from spectators can make kilometres 18-25 a mental challenge. Focus on effort not pace, keep drinking at every station and use the scenery to stay present. This is also where you will start to feel the specific physical effect of running below sea level: the denser air is slightly supportive but the dry desert air accelerates fluid loss faster than you expect.

Kilometres 25-35: Heading Back

The course turns back toward Ein Bokek and most aid stations are now being passed for the second time. Energy stations at 27km, 28km and 33km give you options for topping up. The landscape starts to feel familiar which is mentally both a help and a trap — do not speed up simply because you recognise where you are. The gravel surface is wearing on the quads by this point and the footing requires continued concentration. Keep your gaze a few metres ahead to pick the best path.

Kilometres 35-41.2: The Long Grind Home

This is the honest part of the Dead Sea Marathon. The Ein Bokek hotel strip is visible in the distance but the dike seems longer on the return than it did going out. Aid stations at 36km and 39km are crucial — do not skip the 39km stop. The wind at the Dead Sea can shift direction in the afternoon and if you are a back-of-the-pack runner finishing after 10:00, the rising temperature adds another variable. This is where the race is run or lost.

Kilometre 41.2-42.2: The Paved Promenade Finish

The final kilometre is the only section on tarmac — the Ein Bokek promenade — and the surface change feels enormous after 41km of gravel. Your legs will briefly feel like they are on springs. The finish area is in the event complex and the crowd energy, modest but genuine, carries you home. The medal is unique to each distance and your personal photo album is available on the race photo platform approximately 24 hours later.

Registration

The Dead Sea Marathon sells out. The 2026 edition filled its ~8,000-spot combined field and early entrants in previous years secured their places at the lowest price tier. Registration for 2027 opens on the official website via the Typeform registration system — sign up to the mailing list at deadsea.run/en to be notified the moment it opens. Group registration (5 or more) requires separate coordination via marathon@forumpro.co.il.

Entry fees shown are approximate 2026 pricing based on available data. Confirmed 2027 fees will be published when registration opens. All fees are subject to the processing system and early-entry tiers. ILS = Israeli New Shekel.

Race Weekend Schedule

Schedule is based on the 2026 event structure. Exact 2027 times will be confirmed by organisers ahead of race weekend. Always check the Race Day page at deadsea.run/en/schedule11 for updates.

Weather

February is the most comfortable month of the year to race at the Dead Sea — not the bikini-weather of Israeli summer, but genuinely mild for a 6:15 start. The race has been held in light rain before (the 2026 edition) and the gravel course becomes slicker when wet, which makes grippy trail shoes even more important. Dress in light layers for the start and plan to warm up by 8am. Sunscreen is still advisable by mid-morning for those in the slower waves. Live weather updates for race weekend are available at weather2day.co.il/dead-sea.

Prize Money and Elite Information

Past Results — Defending Champions

The Dead Sea Marathon uses B-Timing chip technology and all results are officially published via the IAA. The 2026 edition (6 February 2026) drew approximately 8,000 runners from Israel and internationally. Full verified results for the 2026 marathon are available at the official results page.

Winner names are not reproduced here to avoid inaccuracy. Full results for all editions are available via deadsea.run/en/the-race/results. This table will be updated with 2027 results after race day.

Spectator Guide

Spectating the Dead Sea Marathon is not like cheering from a city marathon sideline. Most of the course — the dike itself — is a restricted security zone and is not accessible to non-runners. The mass of spectator energy concentrates at the start/finish complex in Ein Bokek and along the promenade. Plan around those points and you will have a great day.

Where to Stay

Ein Bokek is a compact resort strip of around 15 hotels along the Dead Sea shore. Everything is within walking distance or a short free shuttle ride of the start/finish area. The marathon organisers partner with several hotels for official race packages that include pasta dinner, early morning coffee, half-board and extended Friday checkout — essential for marathon runners who finish after the standard 11:00 checkout time. Book early: the hotel corridor fills up fast around race weekend.

All official race hotel packages include half-board (dinner Thursday + breakfast Friday), pasta dinner Thursday evening, early 05:00 coffee and pastry on race morning, and extended checkout until 12:30 for marathon and ultra runners. Book directly through the official packages page at deadsea.run/en/hotels or contact marathon@forumpro.co.il for international group deals.

Budget option: Some runners base themselves in Arad, approximately 25km from Ein Bokek, where accommodation is cheaper. Shuttles are available from multiple points across the country but must be pre-booked at least 48 hours before race day.

International Runners — Visa and Travel

Visa Requirements

Visa requirements for Israel vary significantly by nationality. Many Western passport holders — including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, European Union member states, Australia, Canada and most of the Gulf Cooperation Council — either receive visa-free access or a visa on arrival. Runners from India, many Southeast Asian countries and parts of Africa and Latin America will need to apply for a visa through the Israeli Embassy or consulate in their home country before travel.

Given the geopolitical complexity of the region and the fact that some nationalities may face complications, it is strongly recommended to check your specific requirements well in advance. The official resource is the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Do not leave visa arrangements to the last month — allow at least 6-8 weeks before travel.

Visa rules can change. Always verify current requirements with the official Israeli government source or your nearest Israeli diplomatic mission before booking travel. FatMarathoner.com accepts no liability for travel disruptions arising from visa issues.

A Short History of the Dead Sea Marathon

The race traces its roots to 1981 when Eli Ron, a member of Kibbutz Ein Gedi, organised a small running event in the dramatic desert landscape above the Dead Sea shore. That event became the Ein Gedi Race — also known as the Shalom Marathon — which ran for over 30 years as an anchor point in the Israeli running calendar. Tens of thousands of runners competed along the shore road past Masada in that era, drawn by the unique terrain and the claim of being the “lowest race on Earth.” In 1997, the race was held in memory of Giora and Tomer Ron, Kibbutz Ein Gedi members; the half marathon continues to honour them to this day.

The modern Dead Sea Marathon evolved from those foundations and rebranded as the “Dead Sea Land Marathon” to reflect its expansion to multiple distances and its new geographic anchor in Ein Bokek rather than Ein Gedi. The key transformation was the development of a course that goes out onto the Dead Sea Works dike — the industrial embankment that crosses the southern basin — rather than running along the shoreline road. Getting permits to use that dike for sporting purposes required coordination between the race organisers, the Tamar Regional Council, the Israeli police, the military and the Dead Sea Works industrial operation. Today it remains the only sporting event in the world permitted to use those dikes, making the Dead Sea Marathon genuinely irreplaceable on the global running calendar.

The 2026 edition was significant in a broader sense. It was the edition that, in the words of the Tamar Regional Council, saw the race “return to the international spotlight” — drawing runners from the United States, Europe, South America, the Gulf and beyond, alongside the core Israeli field of around 8,000 participants. That international momentum is building into 2027 and the growing reputation of the race as both a bucket-list experience and a genuinely fast PR course is drawing a wider elite Israeli field alongside the global community runners.

How Dead Sea Marathon Compares to Similar Marathons

Dead Sea Marathon 2027 — Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Dead Sea Marathon 2027?

The Dead Sea Marathon 2027 takes place on Friday, 5 February 2027 in Ein Bokek, Israel. The marathon (42.2km) and ultra (50km) start at 06:15, with other distances starting from 06:45 through to 11:15 for the 5km.

Where exactly does the Dead Sea Marathon start and finish?

The start and finish are at the artificial island opposite the Isrotel Dead Sea Hotel in Ein Bokek, on the southern shore of the Dead Sea. The event complex, Expo and finish line are all in this area, adjacent to the Ein Bokek hotel promenade.

What shoes should I wear for the Dead Sea Marathon?

Trail running shoes or hybrid road/trail shoes are strongly recommended. The course is almost entirely on unpaved compacted gravel with potholes, cracks and loose stones throughout. The final kilometre is on a paved promenade. Road racing flats or pure road shoes do not provide sufficient grip or protection and increase the risk of ankle rolls and foot injuries.

Is the Dead Sea Marathon a good course for a personal best?

Yes — with caveats. Total elevation gain is just 22 metres, making it one of the flattest certified marathon courses in the world. The denser air at -430m elevation may provide a marginal aerobic benefit. However, the gravel surface slows you compared to tarmac, and dehydration happens faster than most runners expect in the desert environment. With proper preparation (trail shoes, strong hydration strategy, electrolytes) runners regularly achieve personal bests here.

Can spectators watch the Dead Sea Marathon on the course?

Spectators cannot access the dike section of the course, which is a restricted security and industrial zone opened only for the race itself. The best spectator viewing points are the start/finish area at the Isrotel Island complex, the Ein Bokek promenade and the finish zone event complex. Spectators are explicitly prohibited from running or cycling alongside participants on any part of the course.

How far in advance does the Dead Sea Marathon sell out?

The 2026 edition sold out, as have recent previous editions. Based on past years, early registration (when it opens, typically mid-year the year before the race) secures the lowest price tier and guarantees a place. Sign up to the mailing list at deadsea.run/en to get registration-open alerts.

What is the cut-off time for the Dead Sea Marathon?

The cut-off for the 42.2km marathon is 6 hours from the gun start (equivalent to 8.5 minutes per kilometre pace). Runners who are unable to maintain this pace may be directed off the course by race officials. The cut-off time is applied from the 06:15 gun start.

What is the entry fee for the Dead Sea Marathon?

Based on 2026 data, the marathon entry fee was approximately 310 ILS (Israeli New Shekels). Exact 2027 pricing has not been confirmed at the time of writing and may be tiered — earlier registration typically locks in a lower price. Check current pricing at deadsea.run/en.

Do I need a visa to run the Dead Sea Marathon?

It depends on your nationality. Runners from the US, UK, EU and many other Western countries can enter Israel visa-free or with a visa on arrival. Runners from India and many other countries need to apply for an Israeli visa through the Embassy or consulate in advance. Check current requirements at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs website well before your travel date.

Can I float in the Dead Sea after the marathon?

Yes, and it is genuinely one of the best recovery experiences you will have after any race. The Dead Sea water temperature in February is 19-23°C, warm enough to float comfortably. The catch: Dead Sea brine at approximately 34% salinity will sting intensely on any open skin, blisters or chafing. Wait at least 2-3 hours after finishing, rehydrate well and check your skin carefully before entering the water. Keep the brine away from your eyes at all costs.