The 270 kilometer (168 mile) Al Marmoom Ultramarathon, touted as the longest desert ultramarathon in the world, took place for the first time in December in the Dubai desert.
The 270 kilometer (168 mile) Al Marmoom Ultramarathon, touted as the longest desert ultramarathon in the world, took place for the first time in December in the Dubai desert.
courtesy Dubai Sports Council and FittGROUP Middle East
Runners raced across the desert for five days, with each of the four stages longer than a marathon.
Runners raced across the desert for five days, with each of the four stages longer than a marathon.
courtesy Dubai Sports Council and FittGROUP Middle East
The Al Marmoom conservation area covers 10% of Dubai and contains lakes, wildlife and sand dunes for miles on end.
The Al Marmoom conservation area covers 10% of Dubai and contains lakes, wildlife and sand dunes for miles on end.
courtesy Dubai Sports Council and FittGROUP Middle East
A six-time winner of the 250-kilometer (155-mile) Marathon des Sables, Rachid El Morabity from Morocco won the men's race in 31 hours and 17 minutes.
A six-time winner of the 250-kilometer (155-mile) Marathon des Sables, Rachid El Morabity from Morocco won the men's race in 31 hours and 17 minutes.
courtesy Dubai Sports Council and FittGROUP Middle East
Magdalena Boulet from the US won the women's race -- one of only four women to complete the 270 kilometer edition of the inaugural ultramarathon.
Magdalena Boulet from the US won the women's race -- one of only four women to complete the 270 kilometer edition of the inaugural ultramarathon.
courtesy Dubai Sports Council and FittGROUP Middle East
The Al Marmoom reserve is home to numerous rare species including the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2Ftravel%2Farticle%2Fdubai-desert-eco-tourism%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Arabian Oryx</a>, once thought to be extinct in the wild.
The Al Marmoom reserve is home to numerous rare species including the Arabian Oryx, once thought to be extinct in the wild.
CNN
Runners rehydrated at check points. Some of the landscape was so remote that in an emergency, only air evacuation was possible.
Runners rehydrated at check points. Some of the landscape was so remote that in an emergency, only air evacuation was possible.
courtesy Dubai Sports Council and FittGROUP Middle East
Running these distances in the desert is "not something that is taken on lightly" says race manager Ole Brom, who adds that on the first day one athlete collapsed unconscious after becoming dehydrated.
Running these distances in the desert is "not something that is taken on lightly" says race manager Ole Brom, who adds that on the first day one athlete collapsed unconscious after becoming dehydrated.
courtesy Dubai Sports Council and FittGROUP Middle East
Pure joy from Ukranian Oksana Riabova as she crosses the finish line, completing the 270 kilometer race in 42 hours and 17 minutes.
Pure joy from Ukranian Oksana Riabova as she crosses the finish line, completing the 270 kilometer race in 42 hours and 17 minutes.
courtesy Dubai Sports Council and FittGROUP Middle East