“It was like I was on Mars.” My first experience of a big race at the Dead Sea

Aliya Nurgaleeva

author in Lifestyle

Talking about how my first race in another country went.

Once a year, thousands of runners from all over the world come to Israel for the unique The Dead Sea Marathon to cross the Dead Sea on their own two feet. Along with the other participants, I had the opportunity to run my first distance on land where almost no human foot has ever set foot. This is a must see: if there was life on Mars, it would look like this – impressive!

First of all, the marathon route is washed by the sea on both sides – part of the route runs along a sand and salt spit on the border between Israel and Jordan amidst desert landscapes. The course itself is located in the Ein Bokek resort area, 420 meters below sea level – the lowest point on land. The concentration of oxygen in the air is higher in this case, and this is good for athletes. After all, the more oxygen the body absorbs, the higher the efficiency of the exercise and the faster the running speed. I personally breathed very easily indeed.

Secondly, geologists say that in 100-200 years the Dead Sea will disappear from the face of the Earth. It is gradually receding – its level drops by more than one meter per year. And this is another reason to see the Dead Sea with your own eyes and even cross it on your own – this opportunity is given by the Israeli marathon. What to speak about the favorable climate, clean air and clear water, in which you feel as if you are floating in weightlessness. The high content of salt and minerals will not let even those who cannot swim drown. The concentration of these substances in sea water reaches 30%, so many people come here for recovery. To get rid of skin diseases, relax, rejuvenate, sleep better and stop nervousness.

Thirdly, throughout the marathon you can observe scenery that previously was only accessible to employees of the Dead Sea plant and security forces. The distances are to taste – 50 and 42 km for the most prepared, 21.1 km for the half marathon, 10 km for amateurs and 5 km for beginners. Every 3 km there are food points, along the whole route there is photo and video shooting from a drone, and the winners are awarded cash prizes and gifts from sponsors. Unforgettable impressions are provided – not only I think so, the participants themselves say so.

Javier Ulle

experienced marathoner, journalist, founder of Xano Pilates&Yoga and a podcast about running.

Hi everyone, this is Javier from Spain. I’ve run a half marathon and I want to point out three important things that set this race apart from others. The first is the incredible scenery to admire throughout the distance. The turquoise color of the sea water immediately draws the eye. Secondly, the marathon takes place at the lowest point of the planet on land, more than 400 meters below sea level. And the third – the route runs through a dam, part of which consists of salt. That’s why you can hear the sound of crunching under your feet while running, and it’s very unusual.

How I ran 5 km for the first time at the Dead Sea Marathon

5:00. It’s early morning, it’s still very dark, music is coming from the street. I look out the window and there is a real sports procession. The participants are walking in slender rows to the start of the 50 km race. I get up, get ready and put on my uniform. At 6:30 I take out of the envelope the starting shirt with the number – 599. For a while I think where to pin the pins – it is not so easy to do it in my sleep. 15 minutes before the start (and it’s at 8:45) I leave the room – don’t ask me what I’ve been doing all these two hours – and head towards the crowd. More specifically, to the latecomers like me. I get right to the start and get right on my way.

8:45. And this is where the fun begins. A breathtaking view opens up: the sea is turquoise-colored all around and salt crystals shimmer under the rays of the soft sun like pearls. Beneath your feet is a road that seems to lead to the sky, and above your head stretches the vast blue. I agree that it sounds very pathos, but there is no other way to describe this landscape. Inside is the drive of a big race among thousands of participants. It’s not like running on a treadmill. The terrain and gravel surface under your feet make you feel it – the physics of movement is not the same as when running on asphalt.

After running only 5 km, I can even feel the muscles that are usually activated when working with heavy weights. These are the back of the thigh, gluteal, calf and back muscles. And here I am already running in the front row. I don’t look back. You can’t look back. According to the biblical story of Lot, before punishing the inhabitants for their sins, the Lord showed the righteous man the way of salvation and told him not to turn around. But his wife turned around and turned into a pillar of salt. Today it can be seen on the shore of the Dead Sea.

I remember this legend and keep running. I see the other participants from the side and I am surprised at the stamina of some of them. Some of them run with a stroller (and with a child and an accessory it is an additional burden of 20 kg), others – with their pets, others – in embrace with their second halves. There were even participants with disabilities, which proves once again: all obstacles are only within us.

9:20. I am already at the finish line, I am greeted with applause – at this moment I feel like a winner. And then suddenly I think: “Is that it? “I want more! Initially I thought that 5 km for the first start would be enough. But, as it turned out, my abilities are not limited to a symbolic distance. Well, next time I will definitely run more. But now I fully share athletes’ passion for large-scale races, because it’s a special experience to feel the involvement in something big. All participants are like a whole – they understand each other without words. Sport is definitely a universal language.

A few more words about Israel

The day before the marathon I was on a tour in the national archaeological park Masada. The ancient fortress with an area of 3.4 km² is located at an altitude of 450 meters above the Dead Sea. Here, a bird’s-eye view of the race course opens up. And the first thing that catches my eye is the resemblance to the red planet. It was as if I was on Mars, as remote from civilization, impregnable and at the same time cosmic as this mountain.

At the very beginning of my trip I had time to visit the very heart of Israel – Jerusalem. I left a piece of paper with a wish in one of its main sights – the Wailing Wall. And at the end of the trip I looked into the modern metropolis of Tel Aviv, where everywhere you look there are only athletes. They are running and enjoying life. I spent a total of four days in Israel and I can say for sure: it was one of my most vivid impressions. The Dead Sea Marathon is worth running at least once in your life.

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