Jordan Impact Marathon 2025

Overview Highlights Race Routes Schedule What's Included Blog Gallery Reviews The Impact FAQs

Wadi Rum, Jordan

Jordan Impact Marathon 2025

Run through Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert, tackle epic challenges, and create lasting impact with regenerative agriculture solutions.

Overview

Run through the stunning Wadi Rum desert in the Jordan Impact Marathon—a race that combines adventure, endurance, and meaningful impact. Choose from a full marathon, half marathon, or 10km as you traverse iconic sandstone cliffs, rolling sand dunes, and ancient Bedouin trails. This is unlike any other race in the world, at an Impact Marathon you catalyse change. Your participation and fundraising supports regenerative agriculture projects tackling water scarcity in one of the world’s driest countries. Experience the thrill of running in a UNESCO World Heritage Site while contributing to sustainable solutions that empower local communities. Whether you’re seeking a bucket-list adventure or a race with purpose, the Jordan Impact Marathon delivers an unforgettable challenge.

Highlights

01 Petra

02 Rural Jordan

03 Run in Rum

04 Deep Impact

05 Bedouin Athletes' Village

01 Petra

We don’t usually focus on “touristy” attractions, but Petra is different. But we work to avoid the other big groups with an early rise to experience the Treasury in the quiet of dawn. Witness the magic of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in a way that respects its beauty and aligns with the meaningful journey of the Jordan Impact Marathon.

02 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.

03 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.

04 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.

05 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.

Race Routes

42km - The Beast of Wadi Rum

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

21km - Half Marathon

An 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.

10K - Starter Route

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.

Schedule

The Bedouin culture, the Dead Sea, our pop-up Athletes' Village in the middle of the desert; this will be a full, immersive and completely unique way to visit this remarkable country.

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.

There are three sides to Jordan that we will be sharing with you this week. We are kicking off in Downtown Amman. 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.

Greening The Desert

The GTD project is one of the most deeply interesting, impactful, and inspiring projects we have ever gotten to work with. 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.

We will spend the day with an extraordinary group of people who have pioneered the concept of Permaculture to a point where their optimism for the future of our world, rooted in all they have learnt, shines forth from every single conversation. This is truly unreal, and to be experienced to be believed.

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

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.

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.

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...

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!

What's Included

Race Entry

Project Visits

Petra Guide

Nepali Made Race Tee

Extraordinary quantities of delicisou food

All in-country transport

full medical support

development expert workshops

3* Accommodation in Amman & Petra

Bedouin athletes' village in wadi rum

acclimatisation runs

iconic impact cap

random surprises we know you'll love

Dead Sea dip

wadi rum 4x4 tour

Amman city tour

Flights

Travel Insurance & Visa

Alcohol, Snacks & Refreshments

Airport Transfers

Jordan Pass

Tips for guides

Blog

Tue 14 May 2019

Building resilience: Permaculture and sustainable development

Created in 2017 and officially launched in 2018, the project aims to educate and empower the Malawian people in their own agriculture efforts. Through a combination of education, demonstration and training, the project aims to empower the Malawian people to be more independent and self-sustaining through agriculture.

Thu 22 Feb 2024 · Liza Kershaw

impact stories - desert to oasis: the greening the desert miracle

Nick Kershaw explores the transformative power of permaculture in the heart of Jordan's arid landscape. Discover how the Greening The Desert project is revolutionizing sustainable living and community development.

Thu 14 Dec 2023 · Nick Kershaw

Petra Reimagined: A Testament to Resilience and Solidarity with Impact Marathon

Our recent journey to Petra during the Jordan Impact Marathon was more than a visit to a historical marvel; it was a profound statement of solidarity, a commitment to standing alongside communities that face the echoes of regional conflicts.

Mon 16 Oct 2023 · Nick Kershaw

A Bucket-List Marathon: Why Jordan Should Be Your Next Running Destination

When it comes to selecting a marathon that offers more than just a run through city streets, Jordan stands out as a monumental, literally and metaphorically, running destination. The Jordan Impact Marathon isn't just a race; we have designed your entire time in Jordan to be a transformative journey that enriches you, tests your limits, and allows you to leave a lasting positive impact on the community. Here's why this race should be etched into your bucket list.

Thu 10 Aug 2023 · Nick Kershaw

Running with purpose: the Jordan Impact Marathon partners with the Invictus Games Foundation

In July, we announced that a team from the Invictus Games Foundation will be joining our Jordan Impact Marathon this November: here is some background to the shared values that make this partnership so exciting.

Thu 31 Aug 2023 · Nick Kershaw

Adapting to Tropical Conditions: An Evidence-Based Approach to Training for International Marathons

While long-distance running offers a plethora of physiological and psychological benefits, the task becomes considerably more complex when subjected to the harsh climates characteristic of tropical regions. This article aims to provide an in-depth, scholarly discussion on the most effective strategies for acclimating to tropical conditions, with the ultimate goal of enhancing athletic performance and minimising health risks.

Gallery

Reviews

- SOPHIE POWER, IMPACT AMBASSADOR

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.

- ALEX CROCKFORD, 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

- LIZZIE THOMSON, 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! 🌵

- CHARLIE WATSON, 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!

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.. This is a team target, that we will all reach together!

Greening The Desert

Geoff and Nadia Lawton’s Greening the Desert project is a testament to hope and ingenuity. In the heart of Jordan’s arid landscape, they’ve transformed barren soil into flourishing farmland through regenerative agriculture. This isn’t just farming—it’s a revolution, showing how sustainable techniques can restore ecosystems, combat water scarcity, and empower communities. With the Jordan Impact Marathon, you’re not just running—you’re part of this story. Regenerative agriculture meets regenerative travel as every step you take contributes to a future where deserts bloom and communities thrive. This is impact in action. Let’s green the desert together. 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

An Impact Marathon is not just a race. It is a life-changing experience. For one week, you will be taken into the Impact Family, meet people from all over the world united in a movement to change the world for the better, through the power of running.

We like to swing by the Dead Sea for a post-race dip on the way back to Amman - so we strongly advise finding a flight leaving after 3pm on the Sunday afternoon, to ease any airport stresses.

Throughout the year we will be sharing all the tips and information you need to be fully prepared for your desert race. Once in Jordan you will receive a full race briefing by our Race Director, and a Head Medic.

We try to include as much as possible into the price so, once you are with us, you don't have to think about anything aside from fully immersing yourself into the experience.

You'll need to arrange your: International flights, airport transfer, travel insurance, Jordan Pass and if you want to consume alcohol/snacks/soft drinks, this is at your own cost. Obviously, souvenirs are at your own cost as well...

Jordan Impact Marathon 2025

Jordan • November 24 - 30 2025 • 6 nights

From $1,931.68_/pp ~~$2,125.50_/pp~~

Book Now