Israel's Dead Sea Marathon

4.9 (17 Reviews)
Ein Bokek, Israel
01 Feb, 2019 (Fri)
Event size: 1000 - 4999 participants

Trail running

10 km, 21.1 km, 42.195 km, 50 km

About the event

Run at the Lowest Point of Land on Earth
Friday, February 1st, 2019, Ein Bokek

The Dead Sea marathon further extends the legacy of the established international Ein Gedi Run, which for over three decades has attracted tens thousands of professional and amateur athletes, offering a captivating running experience against the backdrop of fantastic and serene landscapes. The tradition of the Ein Gedi Run in memory of Tomer and Giora Ron continues with a dedicated 10K run.
The main area of this larger running celebration set on the new hotel promenade in Ein Bokek features the start and finish lines as well as the closing event. Dead Sea hotels offer accommodation and hospitality package deals in the heart of the happening.
The highlight of this running experience is the course that leads through the dikes at the Dead Sea Works plant and well into the southern Dead Sea basin. Reflecting a peaceful daily routine, the central dike marks the Israeli-Jordanian border with no fence. Runners are given a unique opportunity to enter this usually restricted access area and enjoy rarely seen breathtaking views.
The relatively flat surface of mainly compressed kurkar ensures high speed and best performance.

List of Races:
10K Run in memory of Tomer and Giora Ron – running along the new Dead Sea promenade
21.1K Half Marathon – a fast and flat course across the dikes in the southern Dead Sea basin
42K Marathon – a fast course around Dead Sea’s southern shore and 21Km on the central dike
50K Ultramarathon – the first official competition in Israel

Prize money will be awarded to the winners in the general category of each race

Races offered by this event

42.2K

01 Feb, 2019 (Fri) - 06:30
Trail running
42.195 km
The 42.2K marathon starts on Ein Bokek road opposite the new Dead Sea Mall and heading north. Runners will run towards Ein Bokek junction where the course turns right (north) and continues on route 90 alongside the Dead Sea scenic shoreline and sparkling blue and turquoise water on the right. After approximately 5km, the course turns east onto the spacious dike, a flat compact dirt road. Note that this course approaches the Jordanian border, a demilitarization zone and a mine hazard area on the east, and do not deviate from the marked path. Continuing south for approximately 13km, alongside Ein Bokek hotel district on the right and the Jordanian border on the left, it is a wonderful opportunity to view the amazing salt crystal formations on the right. The course turns back north by the 21km mark and around the Dead Sea southern basin. The final 5 kilometers take runners back south along the new hotel promenade (note Nahal Ein Bokek crossing) on the way to the festive beachfront finish area, opposite the new Dead Sea Mall. Well Done!

Standard Mark
The Israeli Athletics Association (IAA) officially recognizes the results of this competition.
Dead Sea Marathon measured by an AIMS-certified expert.
Solo
On site
Trail
Flat
Single loop
Timed
Desert
Seaside / Lakeside
Rural
Mountain range

50K

01 Feb, 2019 (Fri) - 06:35
Trail running
50 km
Race size: 100 - 249 participants
The 50K ultramarathon Israel championship starts on Ein Bokek road opposite the new Dead Sea Mall and heading north. Runners will run towards Ein Bokek junction where the course turns right (north) and continues on route 90 alongside the Dead Sea scenic shoreline and sparkling blue and turquoise water on the right. After approximately 5km, the course turns east onto the spacious dike, a flat compact dirt road. Note that this course approaches the Jordanian border, a demilitarization zone and a mine hazard area on the east, and do not deviate from the marked path. Continuing south for approximately 22km, alongside Ein Bokek hotel district on the right and the Jordanian border on the left, it is a wonderful opportunity to view the amazing salt crystal formations on the right. The course turns back north by the 25km mark and around the Dead Sea southern basin. The final 5 kilometers take runners back south along the new hotel promenade (note Nahal Ein Bokek crossing) on the way to the festive beachfront finish area, opposite the new Dead Sea Mall. Well Done!

Standard Mark
The Israeli Athletics Association (IAA) officially recognizes the results of this competition.
Dead Sea Marathon is an AIMS-certified course.
Solo
On site
Trail
Flat
Single loop
Timed
Desert
Seaside / Lakeside
Rural
Mountain range

21.1K

01 Feb, 2019 (Fri) - 07:15
Trail running
21.1 km
Course Description
The 21.1K half marathon starts on Ein Bokek road opposite the new Dead Sea Mall and heading north. Runners will run towards Ein Bokek junction where the course turns right (north) and continues on route 90 alongside the Dead Sea scenic shoreline and sparkling blue and turquoise water on the right. After approximately 5km, the course turns east onto the spacious dike, a flat compact dirt road. Note that this course approaches the Jordanian border, a demilitarization zone and a mine hazard area on the east, and do not deviate from the marked path. Continuing south for approximately 5km, alongside Ein Bokek hotel district on the right and the Jordanian border on the left, it is a wonderful opportunity to view the amazing salt crystal formations on the right. The course turns back north by the 10km mark and around the Dead Sea southern basin. The final 5 kilometers take runners back south along the new hotel promenade (note Nahal Ein Bokek crossing) on the way to the festive beachfront finish area, opposite the new Dead Sea Mall. Well Done!

Standard Mark
The Israeli Athletics Association (IAA) officially recognizes the results of this competition. Dead Sea Marathon is measured by an AIMS-certified expert.
Solo
On site
Trail
Flat
Single loop
Timed
Certified course
Desert
Seaside / Lakeside
Rural
Mountain range

10K

01 Feb, 2019 (Fri) - 07:30
Trail running
10 km
The 10K run starts on Ein Bokek road opposite the new Dead Sea Mall and heading north. Runners will run towards Ein Bokek junction where the course will turn right (north) and continue on route 90 alongside the Dead Sea scenic shoreline and sparkling blue and turquoise water on the right. Approximately 5km from the promenade the course will turn back south towards the new hotel promenade (note Nahal Ein Bokek crossing) on the way to the festive beachfront finish area, opposite the new Dead Sea Mall.

Standard Mark
The Israeli Athletics Association (IAA) officially recognizes the results of this competition. Dead Sea Marathon is measured by an AIMS-certified expert.
Solo
On site
Trail
Flat
Single loop
Timed
Certified course
Desert
Seaside / Lakeside
Rural
Mountain range

Course details

Course highlights

Course Surface: unpaved dirt road with potholes, cracks and stones on the track.

Start address

Ein Bokek, Israel

Finish address

Ein Bokek Beach

Route map

route map

What’s included in entry

These are included in your entry
Finisher medal
Massage
Event T-shirts
Toilets
Goodie bag
Cash prizes
E-certificate/e-diploma
Nutrition Stations
Parking
Expo entry
Drink Stations
Bag drop
Timing chip (single use)
Photo Service
Pacers
Medical Assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews

4.9
17 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
Write a review
user avatar
Anna Ivanova
Country flag of RU
Jan 2019
21.098 km

Марафон очень тяжелый. Старт рано в 6 утра. Жара (много солнца) + достаточно сложное покрытие (камни, соль и т.д.). Пейзажи красивые. Организация на высоте. Из аэропорта Тель Авива добираться только с пересадками, если не на трансфере или своем транспорте.

user avatar
Theo Goumas
Country flag of GR

Very well organised and beautiful track. The atmosphere was great and it certainly is an experience to run on salty ground.

user avatar
Ivan Lyons
42.195 km

This was my 245th marathon & certainly a bucket list event to do. The logistics of flying from the UK to Tel Aviv & then getting to the Dead Sea sorted, the race is on a Friday am. 350 approx ran the marathon & a similar number for the 50k. Both start together at 6:15am. Most run the half marathon, 2500 & start later. There is also a 10k & 5k. All in about 7000 runners. Fortunately the weather was overcast & mild, till the last 5k when it was sunny & warm. This event is unique running almost entirely on the Dead Sea paths criss crossing it on hard packed gravel/grit. Very flat, with plenty of water stations & food, with enough toilets as well. Certainly a bucket list marathon to tick off & afterwards you get to float in the sea & knowing that you have raced on the lowest place on earth!

Unique race

user avatar
Veaceslav Lebedev
Country flag of MD

It was a very exciting marathon!

user avatar
Loredana Schuster
Country flag of RO

An unique experience.

user avatar
Valeria Delfino
Country flag of IT

Posto fantastico! Buona organizzazione

user avatar
Mihai Batog
Country flag of RO

Super cool run.

user avatar
Monika Niedermeier

100% recommended! awesome landscape, very well organized!

user avatar
Arek null
Country flag of PL

It is specific place to run. Not to easy, but route recommends everything. One of best Ultra i've been taking part.

user avatar
Scott Burrell
Country flag of GB
21.098 km

Great event. Bus from Tel Aviv works well although it's a VERY early start! Bib pick-up is straightforward at the Dead Sea. Route is fantastic and so scenic. Did the half which is pretty flat with one slight incline around the 16k mark. Not too many food options around after the race as most the places are not open until later in the morning. Best bet may be going into one of the hotels for breakfast.

Good route, one slight incline. Lots of aid stations with a variety of different items which was really good.

user avatar
Rowena Evans
21.098 km

Amazing location, I think you'd struggle to find a cooler place to run! Not crowded, fantastic photos and drone photos included, plentiful aid stations. But the main plus is definitely the awe inspiring location!

Nice and flat (one tiny hill!)

user avatar
Roman Furberg
Country flag of US

Route was great with plenty of water and food stations

Perfect route for a first ultra because of the lack of hills

user avatar
Nikolay Ushakov
10 km

Amazing view! But hard race! You should drink a lot before race and bring glasses

user avatar
Naomi Feldman
10 km

Beautiful, unique run. Well organized. Will certainly do it again!

user avatar
Gosia Chełstowska
21.098 km

Czy chodziło Ci o: Fantastyczny Bieg, niesamowite przeżycia, z przyjemnoscia wroce tutaj za rok aby przebiec Marathon . Pozdrawiam Chełsti z Polski 🇵🇱 Fantastic Run, amazing experiences, I will be happy to come back next year to run the Marathon. Regards Chełsti from Poland 🇵🇱

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