Hamdan Al Khatri and Hamed Al Harthi are all set to participate in the 170Km UTMB (Ultra Trail Mont Blanc) trail running race in France on August 27
Oman’s two best trail runners – Hamdan Al Khatri and Hamed Al Harthi – will soon be taking their place on the start line in Chamonix, France, for the 2021 UTMB Mont Blanc 170km trail-running race, when it kicks off on August 27.
Both runners are keen to participate this year after missing out last year’s event, postponed due to the Covid 19
Trail running is a form of long-distance jogging and hiking across steep gradient mountain trails. All the mountain trails have to be through unpaved tracts, mostly unpopulated virgin country.
Starting around the foothills of Mont-Blanc, the 170km race course will take the athletes up to 10,000 metres of total ascent where each participant must rely on their strength and push their mental and physical capabilities to the limit
The UTMB is a unique experience’, and it is one of the most prestigious trail-running events on the circuit.
Starting around the foothills of Mont-Blanc, the 170km race course will take the athletes up to 10,000 metres of total ascent where each participant must rely on their strength and push their mental and physical capabilities to the limit. The event attracts up to 10,000 runners each year and is considered an essential event for trail-runners around the world.
Both 31-year-old Hamdan and 62-year-old Hamed have dedicated the past few years to running. They have competing in the inaugural Oman by UTMB in 2018 and hav participated in a number of ultra-marathons around the world.
Previously, Hamdan has raced at UTMB Mont Blanc in 2019. Hamed Al Harthi competed in the OMAN by UTMB, in 2019, as well as Ushuaia by UTMB in Argentina the same year. His crowning glory, however, was reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro earlier this year.
Speaking from his training camp in Chamonix, Hamdan Al Khatri said, “This return to action could not present a bigger challenge. Having to cancel my race plans last year and train under pandemic circumstances has not been easy but I am determined to give this race my all. Given the stature of the UTMB Mont Blanc race, it is definitely the biggest challenge in my running career to date.”
Hamed Al Harthi also holds a similar view is looking forward to the test. He said, “We know this is a difficult race, but we have prepared as best as we can and will be supporting each other. I love this sport and I am looking forward to proudly waving the Omani flag at the finish line.”
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sultanate of Oman had become known as one of the world’s best emerging sports and adventure destinations, with ultra-trail marathons in particular becoming incredibly popular.
The rugged landscape and well-designed routes, which follow traditional trails between villages in the mountains, had been largely undiscovered by marathon runners but proved popular in 2018 and 2019 with the international athletes competing at OMAN by UTMB and have remained open for locals to use in between events.
Hamdan Al Khatri, Hamed Al Harthi and other talented Omani runners have caught the attention of the national and international media with their achievements.
After the conclusion of UTMB Mont Blanc, the pair are hoping to support an Omani team to take part in Thailand by UTMB in October. The training is intense and requires supreme dedication and concentration, but Oman’s trail running runners have become the symbol of perseverance and strength.
Their mission to explore and conquer nature has been an inspiration to others looking to test themselves, push past their self-imposed limits and discover the great outdoors.
Unlike road running and track running, trail running generally takes place along hiking trails, often in mountainous terrain, where there can be much larger ascents and descents distances.
Between 2008 and 2018, grew by 1,000% from 160 to more than 1,800 globally. Trail runners say the sport is less stressful and the non-urban landscape and environment are a big plus.