32nd Egyptian Marathon
January 10, 2025
The 32nd Egyptian Marathon
Originating beneath the iconic temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Egyptian Marathon boasts a storied history spanning 29 years, making it the longest-running marathon in Africa and the Middle East. Traversing through various ancient sites like the temple of Habou and the temple of Amenophis, as well as the Colossi of Memnon and other notable landmarks, the Egyptian Marathon offers a remarkable journey steeped in Pharaonic tradition.
PHARAONIC RACE 100 KM
The inception of this unique race traces back to 1977 when Egyptian Egyptologist Ahmed Moussa unearthed a significant artifact—a rock fragment depicting Pharaonic soldiers engaging in a 100 km race. Dated between 690 and 665 B.C. during the reign of King Taharka, this discovery shed light on an ancient sporting tradition. King Taharka, upon inspecting his army camp, was impressed by the soldiers’ exceptional physical fitness, prompting him to establish rules for the running race.
The original race route stretched from the Sakkara Pyramid to the Faiyum Oasis, passing through historical landmarks such as Memphis, Dahshur Pyramid, Elleshet Pyramid, and Kefren Pyramid, concluding at the Hawara Pyramid in Faiyum. Remarkably, the hieroglyphic scriptures revealed that the race’s victor completed the grueling 100 km journey in just eight hours. To honor this legacy, the race will retrace the same route, paying homage to the Pharaonic era and its sporting traditions.