Morocco's Mohammed, Aziza claim Oman Desert Marathon honours

Muscat: Moroccan ace marathon runner Mohammed El Morabity retained his Oman Desert Marathon (ODM) crown after emerging winner of the 11th edition of the ODM 2026, which concluded on Wednesday in the Wilayat of Bidiyah in the Al Sharqiyah North Governorate. The final stage brought athletes from the desert interior to the stunning coastline, where their journey ended at the Arabian Sea.
Mohamed covered the distance of 165 km, in a time of 15 hours, 38 minutes and 10 seconds, ahead of his brother and marathon great Rachid El Morabity, who came in second place with a time of 16 hours, 11 minutes and 42 seconds.
Omani runner Saleh al Saidi came in third place after covering the distance of the race in 16 hours, 53 minutes and 34 seconds.

In the women’s section, Moroccan runner Aziza El Omrani came first with an overall time of 22 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds, ahead of her fellow Moroccan runner Aziza Raji, who came in second place (23:05:47). British runner Natalia Taylor came in third (23:49:35).
Mohammed El Morabity’s overall victory represents the culmination of five days of strategic racing and exceptional desert expertise. Despite brother Rachid claiming individual stage victories, Mohamed’s consistency across all five stages secured the overall title with a margin of over 33 minutes.
The brothers’ tactical racing throughout the event demonstrated world-class athleticism, with both athletes finishing in the top two positions overall after navigating 165 kilometres of challenging desert terrain while carrying mandatory equipment.

MOROCCAN EXCELLENCE
In pursuit of the top-class Moroccans, Oman’s Saleh al Saidi delivered a consistent performance, repeating his third place in the last edition.
Al Saidi secured an impressive third place overall, demonstrating strong form on home terrain throughout the five-stage event.
Aziza El Omrani claimed the women’s 165 km overall championship with dominant performances across all five stages. Fellow Moroccan Aziza Raji finished in second position, approximately 47 minutes behind, while Dr Natalia Taylor of Great Britain completed the podium in third place.
Dr Taylor, a British Army medical officer, combined competitive excellence with her appreciation for the desert ecosystem throughout the event, maintaining podium position from start to finish.

OMANI SUCCESS IN 100 KM
The 100 km division witnessed exceptional Omani performances, with Sulaiman al Khatri and Yousef al Naabi finishing in first and second positions respectively, separated by just 15 seconds after five days of racing. Their photo finish demonstrates the intensity of competition maintained throughout the event.
Great Britain’s Paul Groom secured third position in the men’s 100 km division, while China’s Wang He claimed the women’s title.
The five-stage route began in the towering dunes of the Bidiyah desert interior, traversing varied terrain including vegetated dune systems, compact sand roads, and technical undulating sections. The final stage brought athletes to the Arabian Sea coastline, where the symbolic finish line marked the transition from desert to ocean.
Environmental conditions throughout the event ranged from cool morning temperatures of 16 degrees Celsius to significantly elevated midday heat, testing athletes’ adaptation and endurance capabilities across all five competitive days.

Twenty-eight athletes successfully completed the 165 km division, while seven finishers conquered the 100 km challenge. Each finisher navigated extreme conditions while carrying mandatory safety equipment, demonstrating extraordinary determination and preparation.
Medical members Robert Clack and Claire Fielding of Great Britain, who completed their humanitarian-focused journey, utilising the extreme challenge to raise awareness for medical assistance programmes.
Al Mutasim al Fahdi of Oman withdrew from the competition, with medical staff ensuring appropriate athlete welfare protocols were followed.
The 2026 Oman Desert Marathon successfully brought together international athletes from 15 nations, showcasing the Sultanate of Oman’s unique desert landscape and organisational excellence in
ultra-endurance event management. The event maintained exemplary safety standards while facilitating world-class competitive performances.

OVERALL FINAL STANDINGS - 165 KM DIVISION
Men’s Division:
1. Mohammed El Morabity (Morocco/Team TGCC) - 15:38:10
2. Rachid (Morocco/Team TGCC) - 16:11:42 (+33:31)
3. Saleh al Saidi (Oman) - 16:53:34 (+1h 15:23)
Women’s Division:
1. Aziza El Omrani (Morocco) - 22:18:33
2. Aziza al Raji (Morocco) - 23:05:47 (+47:14)
3. Dr Natalie Taylor (Great Britain) - 23:49:35 (+1h 31:02)
OVERALL FINAL STANDINGS - 100 KM DIVISION
Men’s Division:
1. Sulaiman al Khatri (Oman) - 16:34:08
2. Yousef al Naabi (Oman) - 16:34:24 (+15)
3. Paul Groom (Great Britain) - 23:56:55 (+7h 22:46)
Women’s Division:
1. Wang He (China) - 34:33:15