MUSCAT: Omani endurance athlete Hamed Al Harthi is gearing up for one of the world’s most challenging ultra-marathons, the 122-kilometre Silk Route Ultra in Ladakh, India, which takes place at elevations up to 5,400 meters. Known as the highest ultra-marathon globally, the race tests runners with extreme cold, low oxygen levels, and rugged terrain. Al Harthi plans to arrive in Ladakh nearly two weeks early to acclimatize, allowing his body to adjust to the harsh altitude and prepare physically and mentally for the grueling conditions, which include freezing temperatures and demanding trails.
This event marks a significant return to the Himalayas for Al Harthi, who completed the 72 km Khardung La Challenge in 2023, a race renowned as the world’s highest marathon. The 2025 edition intensifies the challenge with increased distance and technical difficulty, requiring strategic pacing, resilience, and mental toughness. Al Harthi approaches the race with discipline and respect for the mountain, emphasizing inspiration for athletes in Oman and the region to pursue ambitious goals and push their limits through endurance sport.
Al Harthi’s recent achievements include a 100 km ultra-marathon in China’s Chongli district, presenting steep ascents, narrow passages, and open stretches under the sun, as well as completing the UTMB Mont-Blanc in France, a solo 560 km run across Oman, and a rapid ascent and descent of Mount Kilimanjaro in 15 hours and 20 minutes. His career reflects not only remarkable physical accomplishments but also a pioneering spirit that blends adventure with personal growth, cultural exploration, and connection to nature through trail running.
Beyond personal milestones, Al Harthi plays an influential role in Oman’s trail running community as a board member of the Himam Trail Run, fostering international participation and promoting Oman’s natural landscapes for endurance sport. The surge in global trail running popularity aligns with Oman’s unique terrain, particularly the Hajar Mountains, offering athletes challenging ridgelines, canyons, and villages. Through social media, Al Harthi shares his journey, inspiring followers and aspiring athletes while positioning Oman as a rising destination for world-class trail running and outdoor endurance events.
