SCENIC ASCENT

SCENIC ASCENT

The only race of the weekend that starts where it ends. It opens with a loop around Birkat Al Mouz, then makes one steep climb to high ridges with wide views, past pomegranate and fig trees, continues on technical trails over rocky ridges and desert slopes, and comes down again to the palm gardens and falaj-fed farmland of the oasis. The organiser gives 550 m of ascent for the whole course.

Five hours for 21.5 km leaves room for walking the climb and taking the descent carefully. The race is listed as full for 2026 and carries one Running Stone. Stone paths and rocky ground mean trail shoes rather than road shoes, and the organiser’s course page mentions technical sections even on this shortest distance. The page names Nizwa in its text and Birkat Al Mouz as the start in its facts. Check the race guide before the morning.

This page covers the 2026 Scenic Ascent. Family at the race village will see the start and the finish, but not the ridge in between. A shared Livebib link fills that gap in a browser: the runner’s position on the course line, distance covered and a finish estimate, with any signal gap carried forward and marked as estimated.