November 25 - December 1 2024 | Jordan

Jordan Impact Marathon 2024

Join us on the sandy dunes of Jordan for iconic desert race

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THE EXPERIENCE

The only desert race in our series, and we have an absolute beauty in store. The magic of Wadi Rum cannot be justified in words or pictures, it simply has to be experienced. We cannot wait to welcome you to this ancient desert that has already become an iconic backdrop to our Series.

The Beast of Wadi Rum

42km

Breaking with Impact tradition, we have created one magical loop for the 42km runners...We start just after first light. As you find your rhythm, the colours around you will gently change as the sun rises behind the iconic desert mountains. By the time the sun has risen, you will be fully into your race and into the softer section of sand that will surely make this race one of the hardest of your life. The seclusion of our race route is unparalleled as your skirt along the border to Saudi Arabia you will entirely surrounded by the tall mountains, and deep sand, of the Wadi Rum Desert. 

You will be pushed to your limit, you will feel like you can't go on. But when you dig deep, when you keep moving you will earn the right to proudly say you conquered The Beast Of Wadi Rum

Half Marathon

21km

A utterly unique opportunity to run through the magical beauty of the simply incredible Wadi Rum Protected Area. You will jeep-ed out into the middle of the desert, to our first ever starting arch made out of milennia old rock. You will begin as the 42km runners approach and you will all run together, with others, for others. 

It’s not the classic hills that Impact Marathons are known for, but it is going to be hot and sandy as you make your way towards the horizon that rolls out in front of you for the entire distance. 

Starter Route

10km

A 10km race that feels so much further! This is a serious test for any runner. You will begin as the heat is starting to build, you will begin as the 42km & 21km runners approach, you will begin in the deepest sandy section. 

The routes have all collided by this point as you all make your ways to the 7 Pillars of Wisdom Mountain, to finish in it’s shadow! 

If you are not a runner, we invite you to hike this course.

HIGHLIGHTS

Petra

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this is a race not to be missed. We really didn't know if this was going to be possible when we launched our newest location but our great partnership with the Jordan Tourism Board made it all possible. Welcome, to Jordan 2021.

Rural Jordan

Impact Weeks are all about the untold stories, the places you would never be able to visit any other way. In our first two days, you will experience exactly that, staying in a village deep in the Dead Sea Valley, rising with the sun and learning how life can flourish despite the intense heat.

Run in Rum

The most magical running experience of your life. Your race will transition from the running underneath the magnificent stars that shine like no other place on earth, through the deep red sunrise until the sun is beaming down. That final stretch will test you to your limits, but it will be absolutely worth fight.

Deep Impact

We will be focused on the biggest issue the country faces: water scarcity. Jordan is one of the world’s most water scarce countries and with a growing population, due to their open door policy to refugees from neighbouring countries, the challenge gets greater by the day. When we blend the experience and knowledge of our partners, with our goal to find the small changes with exponential impact, we can begin to find ways to tackle the biggest problems.

Bedouin Athletes' Village

Some things cannot be explained, only experienced. From the golden hour as the sunsets and the greatest star show on earth, to the dancing colours of sunrise. This is a truly beauty village, built but nature herself. You'll be warm inside our Bedouin goat hair tents, with all the wonderful Jordanian food that you need to fuel your race day efforts.

THE TRIP

Day 1 - Monday 27th November

Welcome

We’ll be meeting in the capital city of Amman, where we will be staying the first night of our experience. You’ll join us at our partner hotel as we prepare for the week ahead. Here you’ll get to know your fellow travellers whilst enjoying an evening of amazing Jordanian food and start learning more of what you'll be experiencing this week. A relaxed evening, as we are about to ramp things up for the next few days.

Day 2 - Tuesday 28th November

Greening the Camps

There are three sides to Jordan that we will be sharing with you this week. We are kicking off in Downtown Amman - sharing a day, and a community centre in the heart of the city. We believe that understanding your impact is all about context - the history of this complex region. The story of refugees in Jordan. The story of water in Jordan. And, most importantly, the empowering stories of the solutions that are already out there for the challenges faced by each community.

Day 3 - Wednesday 29th November

Greening the Camps

Today, we share a second side to Jordan - the refugee side. With an open door to those fleeing the neighbouring conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Palestine the refugee population in Jordan makes up a large percentage of the total population. Furthermore, Jordan is the 2nd most water scarce country on earth. Our program in Jordan is all around how to get more from less and the Rooftop Home Gardens projects does exactly that. We will be working on and building home gardens that will be used in the community in a ground-breaking new project. The learning starts with the children, who manage the gardens and ensure, with the minimal amount of water possible, we are growing more. The women then are able to sell the excess produce that brings income into the family, and, we’ve seen, an opportunity to re-invest that and grow the home gardens as a business. 

We' rarely come across projects that touch so many of the Global Goals - from Life on Land to Sustainable Cities and Communities to Gender Equality - and so many more. It’s a small idea with huge impact in such a water scarce country. 

From here, we head south to Wadi Musa for the night.

Day 4 - Thursday 30th November

Petra

We had to. It’s not the normal Impact thing to do. But we just had to. 

This is the third side to Jordan - one seen by tourists and adored by all. But we are going to do it in a bit of a unique way. So, set your alarm clocks!

As we pass Petra along the way to the desert, why not stop and tour one of the 7 New Wonders of the World.

Get ready for a truly remarkable experience. 

Once our time in Petra closes, we will be heading down to the desert, onto our pickup trucks and, as the sun sets on Wadi Rum, arriving into our remote Bedouin Camp. 

Day 5 - Friday 1st December

Day Off

You have a big day tomorrow so today it's time to unwind. We will have a couple of workshops in the morning and there are extra activities around the desert you can add-on at an extra cost. From 4x4 tours of the best Wadi Rum sights, to climbing - we will let you know a list of options. Of course, putting your feet up and relaxing at the Athletes’ Village is still very much an option.

Day 6 - Saturday 2nd December

Race Day

The moment has come - race day. We’ll head to the startline together and run as a community in what will be one of the most magical experiences. Get ready for stunning trails and a remarkable finish line moment, as you take the final steps of the hardest race of your life. And at that finish line, we’ll have a huge welcome home for you. Party into the night, you deserve it...

Day 7 - Sunday 3rd December

Homecoming

The race is over and you'll have the usual aches and pains to remind you. To take your mind off it we have organised some incredible Bolt-On Adventures that show you the very best that Jordan has to offer. Alternatively, and reluctantly, we will let you return home and transfers to the airport are included!

INCLUDED

Accommodation

Food

Transport (excluding airport)

Race Entry

Race Shirt & Stash

Project Visits

Petra Guide

NOT INCLUDED

Flights

Travel Insurance & Visa

Alcohol, Snacks & Refreshments

Airport Transfers

Jordan Pass

TESTIMONIALS

I’ve been involved with Impact Marathon since 2016 - it combines my love of running and adventure with my passion for lasting social impact. I’ve really loved spending time this week with the projects we’ll be supporting.

- SOPHIE POWER, IMPACT AMBASSADOR

The race/running aspect is like a celebratory lap at the end of the trip which is a brilliant way to bring everyone together! ⁣ It’s not like any normal race, in a unique environment and running through sand is not easy

- ALEX CROCKFORD, IMPACT AMBASSADOR

Disconnect and appreciate the simple things in life👌🏼 This was very much accomplished these last few days in the beautiful Wadi Rum/Jordan! 🌵

- LIZZIE THOMSON, IMPACT AMBASSADOR

If you’ve ever considered doing a desert ultra then decided you didn’t like sand/heat enough to run in it for multiple days in a row (just me? 🤷🏻‍♀️) then this is the race for you!

- CHARLIE WATSON, IMPACT AMBASSADOR

HOSTS

Nick Kershaw

Energetic leader of the dream and revels in making a vision into a reality - bringing people together through the power of running. This will be the 6th country he has built a marathon event in and he continues to bring his passion, ideas and creativity to each new country. The combination of travel, trail running and driving lasting positive impact is the perfect mix of his favourite things and you'll see that shine through in how he sculpts the week for you.

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Nick Butter

Nick first came across Impact Marathon when he was running a marathon in every country in the world. 2 weeks in, he landed in Guatemala - met Nick Kershaw and a friendship was formed. That friendship has now crossed many more countries and continents, culminating in joining forces to bring Jordan Impact Marathon to life. In terms of running expertise, 1000 marathons in 196 counties speaks for itself.

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Hollie Richmond

Hollie joined Impact Marathon after a random meeting on the tarmac of Lilongwe Airport, Malawi. She has since been on the team in Guatemala, Nepal, and Jordan. In 2023, she will be stepping up a level in her role. With a indomitable Liverpudlian spirit, she is a checkpoint queen, and a force to be reckoned with. 

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Hammad Hamdam

There are few more experienced desert marathon directors in the world. A veteran of Ultra X and 4 Deserts events, he can map out routes without a second thought across Wadi Rum. His team know every shortcut, every awesome vista, every shaded spot of a checkpoint...and ensure the route is supremely well-marked throughout. You'll hate him halfway around the race, but you'll love him at the finish line!

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THE IMPACT

In Jordan, we have partnered up directly with charities, and co-operatives that create an impact in the community. We stay at Jordanian owned accommodation, we select restaurants with powerful social stories, we create hand-made medals that employ local artisans. There is so much more to creating an impact than just the fundraising and volunteering. That said, we do aim for all our runners to contribute to the fundraising total - you set your own target. Our goal, with our 30 runners, is to see 120 Home Gardens created with £32,000 of fundraising. This is a team target, that we will all reach together!

Greening The Camps

Jordan is the 2nd most water scarce country on earth. Our program in Jordan is all around how to get more from less, and the Rooftop Gardens projects does exactly that. We will be working on and building rooftop gardens in the refugee camps surrounding Amman. These will be used in the community in a ground-breaking new project. The learning starts with the children, who manage the gardens and ensure, with the minimal amount of water possible, we are growing more. The women then are able to sell the excess produce that brings income into the family - it’s here we’ve seen an opportunity to re-invest that and grow the home gardens as a business. We rarely come across projects that touch so many of the Global Goals - from Life on Land to Sustainable Cities and Communities, to Gender Equality - and so many more. It’s a small idea with huge impact in such a water scarce country.

FAQS

As this is our first ever event in Jordan, and due to COVID-19 enforced postponement, we are making use of the extra year of planning to tweak and improve this event. New FAQs will drop here soon.

November 25 - December 1 2024

FROM $1,724.29/pp

November 25 - December 1 2024

FROM $1,724.29/pp
BOOK