Wadi Rayan Desert Challenge

The Wadi Rayan Desert Challenge is a trail race designed to put the spotlight on the breathtaking landscapes of Wadi Rayan Protectorate located in the Fayoum governorate, about 2 hours southwest of Cairo. The challenge offers various distances in single stage and multi-stage formats. Whether you’re looking for a serious test of endurance or prefer a more manageable route, this event has something for you. 

Checkpoints/aid stations will be stationed approximately every 12 km along the race route, and will offer water and some fruits. Runners should not count on checkpoints for fueling and are strongly encouraged to carry their own nutrition and electrolytes throughout the challenge, especially those with food preferences and allergies.

The challenge routes are mostly hard trails with some sections of soft sand dunes. Day 1 will be around the lake shores, offering stunning scenery and excellent photo opportunities with the iconic Wadi Rayan lake background. Day 2 will be in the open desert and hills, an amazing serene space where you will get lost but will find your way back home. To support your race preparations, we developed this 7-week training program, which you can expand on.

You can expect the following approximate elevation gains, all subject to the final GPX file.

The challenge route GPX files will be shared with the runners well in advance of the race. 

We will be putting up markers to guide you along the trail. To minimize the environmental impact, these markers will be minimal. For additional guidance, runners are required to download the route GPX files onto their sports watches and/or their smartphone GPS navigation applications. No runner will be allowed to start the challenge without the GPS file downloaded and saved on their device.

Mandatory Gear

For your safety, we require you to bring all mandatory gear listed below at all times during the race. While trail running is a fun and adventure-filled sport, we aim to make sure that all participants understand the importance of safety first and are well-equipped to endure the challenges and risks of the event.  

• Running vest with at least 1L water capacity
• Bladder and/or bottles
• Electrolytes – at least 3,000mg sodium + other electrolytes
• Nutrition – at least 1,000 Kcal of energy gels, bars or equivalent
• Whistle
• Emergency blanket
• Trail running-specific shoes in good condition, with socks
• Comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing
• Fully charged phone
• Sports watch or smartphone with pre-uploaded GPX route file
• Headlamp or flashlight with primary and spare batteries, for the longer distance runners
• A small first aid kit

Recommended Gear

These items are more for your comfort and convenience during the race. You have the choice to bring the following:

• Running cap or hat, preferably with neck protection or a buff
• Sunglasses
• Sand gaiters
• Sunscreen
• Trekking poles
• Removable arm sleeves
• Blinkers
• Power bank to charge your phone

We have made arrangements with Zowara Ecolodge to accommodate our event participants. Located 200 km southwest of Cairo, Zowara is easily accessible and offers spacious free parking. Zowara offers two types of accommodation:

• Shared double stone huts – Double beds only. No single beds.
• Shared double/triple/quadruple tents – Single sleeping mats
• Bathrooms and showers are shared – Very clean with running hot water

 Please note that Wadi Rayan lakeside road is partially under renovation, so we recommend taking the Asyut desert highway south from Cairo-Fayoum highway, near the Giza Pyramids. Here’s the map of the area where Zowara Ecolodge is located:

https://goo.gl/maps/WQ7KfftPCuYHkq9Y8 

We will share more detailed driving instructions from Cairo to Zowara closer to the race dates. Rest assured that no one who followed our instructions got lost in the previous years.

Family, friends and support crew are welcome to join the adventure, and assist or cheer for you at the challenge. If you are running the longer distances, your support crew can assist you along the race course. Support crew are allowed only at the checkpoints and some points along the route, to be announced closer to the race dates.

Zowara Ecolodge offers many activities such as sand boarding, desert safari, picnic by the lake, Wadi Hitan museum and World Heritage Site, etc. We will attend to family and friends’ reservations after securing runners’ bookings.

Runners themselves will need to organize their transportation to and back from Zowara and race venues. If you are going with your family, friends or support group, we suggest planning ahead for carpool arrangements or hiring van rentals.

Only lunch will be served to runners who registered for the challenge. Runners will have to provide their own breakfast and dinner. Likewise, family, friends and support crew who accompanied the runner will have to make arrangements for their own meals.