Wadi Rum Marathon
Images by Bedouin Heritage Project
The Wadi Rum Marathon is an endurance horse race through the desert’s surrounding the Wadi Rum Protected Zone. The event was reborn thanks to the contribution of Sheik Al-Maktoum of the Emirates and has been essential in recreating the horse culture of local bedouin. This year’s race was a qualifying event for international competition and covered 80km in total over three heats.
While Al-Maktoum was not in attendance this year, dignataries from Jordan and around the world were present to cheer on the riders and horses, alike. Governed by an international community of animal rights specialists, controls are made at regular interviews ensuring the horses are coping well with the often difficult conditions. Any horse not found to be in perfect health is disqualified imediately and checks were conducted between every heat.
Commencing at 6am and finishing by noon, the race is a perfect excuse for admiring the changing light and temperature of the late fall desert.