We are pleased to announce that EcoTrail Al Ula, the first trail running event in Saudi Arabia, will have a points race in the 2020 Asia Trail Master Championship series. The first edition of EcoTrail Al Ula is set for 8 February 2020 and features the standard race distances of the renowned European EcoTrail brand: 80km, 50km and 10km. The 80 km is the race that matters for the ATM point seekers, be it for the Championship or the Grandmaster Quest. Asia Trail Master’s General Manager Kris is part of the technical organisation of this exciting new event, which has the objective of developing sport and tourism in the beautiful area of AlUla area in the northwest of the country, known for its prehistoric and rich cultural sites.
EcoTrail events offer real eco-responsible nature race courses that are accessible to all types of runners. This implies that the races will indeed be of the speedy kind with technical sections rather limited and mainly occurring on the 80k long distance race.
As the official EcoTrail website explains: ‘The concept of the EcoTrail® was born from the desire to create REAL ECO-RESPONSIBLE NATURE RACE COURSES ACCESSIBLE TO ALL in major emblematic cities and their suburbs. These events aim at highlighting THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT of a region, emphasizing the importance of RESPECTING THE EVIRONMENT as well as PROMOTING TRAIL RUNNING & OUTDOOR SPPORT. With various places already involved, we want to prove that organizing mass events can go hand in hand with ECO-RESPONSIBILITY and CONVIVIALITY, and that a city can also become a place fit for nature race courses. Each destination offers its own trail running events on short and long distances, but also Nordic walking and hiking events. Each event must have a universal dimension and be committed to our cause.’
The first Al Ula sporting event takes place as part of the Winter at Tantora Festival to promote tourism and culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There will therefore be several activities taking place in the time around the running event. For Asia Trail Master, it will be the first time a points race will be held so far west in Asia and on the Arabian peninsula.
Registration for the races is already open via our familiar platform of Race Timing Solutions in Hong Kong. Please also check the recently introduced new visa policies for entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Runners will be able to get assistance for their visa requirements should this be needed. To get to Al Ula, you can fly international to Riyadh and connect domestically, or fly to Jeddah and arrange bus or car transport. All these details can already be checked on the official EcoTrai Al Ula website.
Fantastic sunset pictures can be taken at Al Ula
The terrain is much more than “just” desert. This is Elephant Rock, start place of the 50k.
The 80K course will have a few technical sections and more elevation gain as well
