The Dead Sea Land Marathon was ranked #1 in the “9 Most Unique Races in the World” by
the prestigious international running magazine The Running Week.

Commencing from February 6, 2026, this year’s event entered its successful seventh year.
As part of the event, the Israeli Ultra-Marathon Championship for the 50 km distance will
also take place.

This year, the marathon broke records, with over 8,000 runners securing their spot at an
extraordinary pace. Two months before the gun started, registration for the race had already
sold out.

The Dead Sea Marathon is one of the most sought-after races in Israel and has even been
ranked first among the “9 Most Unique Races in the World” by the renowned international
running magazine The Running Week. Due to high demand, a waiting list has been opened,
which can be joined on the marathon’s official website.

This is the seventh edition of the marathon, which has already become a tradition – offering a
unique running experience in the lowest place on Earth, allowing participants to cross the sea
on salt embankments within a pristine desert landscape.

Alongside professional and high-quality production with international-standard course
management, the marathon attracts both elite runners and amateurs of all levels who come to
experience one of the most beautiful and unique race courses in the world. The event offers a
wide variety of distances, ranging from 5 km to 50 km.

The highlight of the marathon is the run into the Dead Sea on the border embankment of the
Dead Sea Works, which surrounds the southern part of the Dead Sea. Access to the
embankment is only available during the marathon, offering breathtaking views. The
embankment also serves as a border between the Israeli and Jordanian parts of the Dead Sea
and is open only once a year for marathon runners.

The marathon will start at 6:15 AM from a central point between the northern hotel area of
Ein Bokek and the southern hotel area (south of Nevo Hotel and north of Herods Hotel – the
starting point was changed from previous years due to tourism development). This year,
approximately 8,000 participants are expected to compete in six race categories:

50 km Ultra-Marathon – Israeli Championship for the 50 km distance.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the overall winners of the three longest races. This year,
military, security, police, and reserve service running groups will also take part in the
marathon. The Dead Sea Land Marathon evolved from the historic Ein Gedi Race, which for
over 30 years hosted thousands of runners and was a key event in Israel’s annual race
calendar. The half marathon continues to honour the memory of Tomer and Giora Ron, sons
of Kibbutz Ein Gedi.

Nir Wenger, Head of Tamar Regional Council, said, “The Dead Sea Land Marathon, now in
its seventh year, has become an important and exciting tradition. Its popularity continues to
grow thanks to the breathtaking routes and unique experience it offers. This is a great
opportunity to combine sport, nature, and culture and to run in one of the most extraordinary
locations in Israel. Our area offers the perfect combination of stunning landscapes,
magnificent natural sites, and a variety of tourist attractions. This year, as the Tamar Regional
Council celebrates its 70th anniversary, the event carries an even greater significance. I invite
all runners to join the celebrations and be part of this unforgettable sporting event.”

The marathon is organised by the Tamar Regional Council, with support from Dead Sea
Works (ICL) and the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, and executed by the Dead Sea Government
Company and the Dead Sea Drainage Authority.