Muscat – Omani ultra-runner and endurance icon Hamed al Harthi is preparing
to embark on one of the toughest races on Earth: the Silk Route Ultra, a 122-kilometre
high-altitude ultra-marathon held in the formidable Himalayan region of Ladakh, India.
Officially recognized as the world’s highest ultramarathon, the race reaches staggering
elevations of up to 5,400 meters above sea level, confronting runners with freezing
temperatures, low oxygen levels, and unforgiving terrain.
Al Harthi is set to depart Oman on August 28, allowing nearly two weeks of advance
acclimatization ahead of the race’s September 11 start. The early arrival is a deliberate
part of his physical and mental strategy, providing vital time for his body to adjust to the
extreme altitude. At this elevation, even the most seasoned athletes are tested not only
in stamina, but in resilience to oxygen deprivation, altitude sickness, and sub-zero
nighttime conditions.
This marks a powerful return to the Himalayas for Al Harthi, who completed the 72 km
Khardung La Challenge in the same region in 2023 — a race known as the highest
marathon in the world. This year’s race, however, significantly raises the stakes in both
distance and difficulty, transforming the challenge into a multidimensional test of
strategy, self-reliance, and psychological endurance.
“The Silk Route Ultra is more than a race,” Al Harthi shared. “It’s a journey through
extremes — of terrain, weather, and the human spirit. I bring with me the memory of
every trail I’ve run across the world, but this race demands something else entirely. I
approach it with humility, discipline, and deep respect for the mountain. I run not only for
the finish line, but to inspire others in Oman and across the region to dream bigger, train
harder, and discover new parts of themselves.”
His return to the Himalayas comes on the heels of another impressive feat: completing
a punishing 100 km ultra marathon in the Chongli district of China, one of the key
venues for the 2022 Winter Olympics. The course challenged athletes with steep
elevation gains, narrow passes, and unshaded stretches under the sun — a grueling
An environment that required strategic pacing and hydration planning.
Hamed Al Harthi’s career is defined not only by achievements but by a pioneering spirit.
In 2023, he became one of the very few Arab athletes to complete the UTMB Mont-
Blanc, the 100-mile trail race held in Chamonix, France, is the crown jewel
of global trail running. He also completed a solo 560 km run across Oman, traversing
the diverse landscapes of his home country, from border to coast, and has scaled and
descended Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, in an astonishing time of
15 hours and 20 minutes.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
