Muscat Marathon
Al Khuwair Square, Muscat
The Experience Oman Muscat Marathon 2027 takes place on 29 and 30 January at Al Khuwair Square in Muscat. Friday has the marathon, half marathon and 10 km; Saturday the 5 km, a fun run and the kids' races. Marathon entry costs 99 US dollars.
Dates
- 29 January 2027 – 30 January 2027 — Experience Oman Muscat Marathon 2027 (marathon, half and 10 km on the 29th; 5 km, fun run and kids' races on the 30th)
Source: muscatmarathon.om (officiel) — accessed 20 October 2026
A running weekend in Muscat
The Muscat Marathon is run on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 January 2027, with the race village at Al Khuwair Square in Muscat. It began in 2012 as a local race and has grown, in the organiser's words, into the country's leading running festival, drawing runners from more than a hundred nations on certified courses. It carries the name of Experience Oman, the tourism brand of Oman's Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
Some online calendars give 22 and 23 January: only the dates on the official website count.
Six races over two days
| Race | Day | Start, local time | Minimum age | Cut-off | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon, 42.2 km | Friday 29 | 6:00 am | 17 | 6 h | $99 |
| Half marathon, 21.1 km | Friday 29 | 6:00 am | 17 | 3 to 4 h | $83 |
| 10 km | Friday 29 | 8:00 am | 15 | 2 h | $58 |
| 5 km | Saturday 30 | 6:30 am | 12 | 1 h | $39 |
| Fun run, 2.5 km | Saturday 30 | 9:00 am | 7 | $31 | |
| Kids' runs, 1 and 2 km | Saturday 30 | 8:30 am | 7 | $17 |
Starts are early, from 6 am. The official site gives the half marathon a 4-hour cut-off on the race page and 3 hours in its FAQ; the runners' guide will settle it. The 1 km is for children aged 7 to 9 and the 2 km for 10 to 12, on closed roads, with official timing and a medal.
The organiser recommends the marathon only to runners who have already completed a half marathon and can commit to serious training in the six months before. The 5 km is a music-filled route for beginners, and the fun run welcomes walkers.
Entering and collecting your bib
Entries are made online from the official site, muscatmarathon.om, through the njuko platform. The race pack holds your bib, a baggage tag, the event T-shirt and sponsor gifts. Collection dates and venue will be announced closer to the race; overseas runners arriving after the collection period can pick up their pack on race morning, between 4:30 and 5:30 am local time. Be at the start at least 30 minutes before your race; the runners' guide will cover parking and road closures.
Late January weather
January is Muscat's coolest month, with an average high of 25.5 °C at the airport. The sea is around 24 °C, warm enough for a recovery swim.
Where to stay
The beach hotels of Ghubra and Shatti Al Qurum are 10 to 15 minutes' drive from the Grand Mosque: The Chedi Muscat in Ghubra, and on Qurum Beach the Grand Hyatt Muscat, from around €230 a night, and the Mandarin Oriental Muscat. Closer to the airport, Kempinski Hotel Muscat in Al Mouj has a kids' club. Prices are recorded including taxes, with any local taxes on top.
Making more of the trip
The marathon falls about ten days before the expected start of Ramadan, around 8 February 2027; during the fast nobody eats or drinks in public in daytime. Triathletes can follow it with IRONMAN 70.3 Muscat on 6 February. Late January is also hiking season in the Hajar Mountains, on Jebel Akhdar or Jebel Shams, and a good time for a night in the Wahiba Sands. The city is covered on the Muscat page, and the Oman travel situation guide sums up government travel advice.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Muscat Marathon?
Friday 29 January 2027 for the marathon, half marathon and 10 km, and Saturday 30 January for the 5 km, fun run and kids' races.
How much does entry cost?
$99 for the marathon, $83 for the half marathon, $58 for the 10 km and $39 for the 5 km, according to the official site.
Where does it start?
The race village is at Al Khuwair Square in Muscat. The detailed route is published on the official website.
Can children take part?
Yes: the 1 km for ages 7 to 9, the 2 km for 10 to 12, the 2.5 km fun run from age 7 and the 5 km from 12.
What time do the races start?
The marathon and half marathon start at 6 am local time.