The marathon has become a household name in the international running world and is officially recognized by the World Marathon Association. Runners will conquer the trails of the southern Arava at the end of November as part of the 2025 International Desert Marathon in Eilat, which will take place on Friday, November 29. The marathon, initiated by Marathon Israel in cooperation with the Eilat Municipality and the Eilat Tourism Corporation, offers a unique running experience that combines challenging terrain with magical views of the Edom Mountains and the Gulf of Eilat.
This is the festive edition marking the 15th anniversary of the event. The marathon attracts thousands of participants annually and brings a significant wave of sports tourism to southern Israel, directly benefiting the local tourism industry. The event draws international runners from dozens of countries.
The race will include four competitive distances, all starting from the Dan Hotel Eilat:
- Full marathon (42.2 km)
- Half marathon (21.1 km)
- 10 km race
- 5 km race
In addition, a festive 1.5 km family race will take place on the evening before the main event, with the participation of Mayor Eli Lankri.
The marathon weekend begins on Thursday (November 28) with the opening of the Expo complex, followed by the Family Race. Evening activities include yoga at sunset on the beach, a flag parade featuring running groups from around the world, a participants' briefing, and a traditional pasta meal at the Dan Hotel Eilat.
On Friday at dawn, the competitive races begin. The winners' ceremony will be held at 10:00 in the presence of the mayor. Throughout the route, runners will enjoy live music, refreshments, and the stunning desert landscape. In the evening, a festive film screening on the promenade will celebrate 15 years of the desert marathon.
On Saturday, the weekend concludes with a recovery run, yoga on the promenade, and professional lectures by top Israeli running coaches.
According to Ofer Padan, CEO of Marathon Israel: "The Desert Marathon in Eilat is much more than a sporting event—it is a celebration of nature, running, and community. This year, as we mark 15 years of activity, we invite all runners to experience the magic of the desert, the international atmosphere, and the warm embrace of Eilat."
Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri added: "Eilat is proud to host the Desert Marathon for the 15th year. The event connects sports, landscape, and tourism, and puts Eilat on the map of international sporting events. We invite the public to come, run, and enjoy an extraordinary experience in the desert."
The marathon is held in cooperation with the Dan
