Wadi Degla Trail

Wadi Degla Trail Race allows you to explore the beautiful and diverse landscapes of Wadi Degla Protectorate while promoting conservation and sustainable outdoor sports. The event features four exciting distances:

• 5 & 10 km – These short distances are ideal for beginners who want to try trail running for the first time.
• 25 km – This medium distance will be more challenging and requires more running experience.
• 50 km – Our long distance offers an exciting adventure and challenge for more experienced runners.

The Wadi Degla Trail Race 2025 will take place in the Wadi Degla Protectorate, a natural reserve located near Cairo, Egypt. To access the race venue, runners must enter through the Wadi Degla Protectorate Main Gate in Zahraa El Maadi. This is the exact location of the gate.

Each race distance at the Wadi Degla Trail Race 2025 has a specific start time to ensure a smooth and organized experience for all participants:

• Long Distance (50KM): Starts at 7:00 AM
• Medium Distance (25KM): Starts at 7:00 AM
• Short Distance (10KM): Starts at 8:00 AM
• Fun Run (5KM): Starts at 8:00 AM

We suggest you arrive at the venue well ahead of your start time to claim your race kit, check in, warm up, and enjoy the pre-race atmosphere.

To ensure participant safety and the smooth flow of the event, each race distance has a designated cut-off time:

• Fun Run (5 km): 2 hours
• Short Distance (10 km): 2 hours
• Medium Distance (25 km): 5 hours
• Long Distance (50 km): 10 hours

Participants are strongly encouraged to complete their chosen distance within the specified cut-off time. This helps ensure proper support and logistics are available throughout the race.

For the 5km and 10km races, all runners of any age are welcome to join.

For 25km and 50km races, runners should be at least 18 years old to join the race.

There are no race requirements to join the 25km and 50km races of this event. Please note that the race organizers may recommend you to join a shorter race, depending on your fitness level.

Several checkpoints will be strategically placed along each race route to support runners and ensure their safety:

• Support and Hydration: Each checkpoint will provide water to keep participants hydrated.
• Mandatory Entry: All participants must pass through and check in at each checkpoint.
• Safety Monitoring: At the checkpoints, race organizers and race marshals will be able to determine if any runner requires assistance. These checkpoints are critical to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants while navigating the trail.

The Wadi Degla Trail Race offers varying levels of elevation gain to challenge runners of all abilities:

• Fun Run (5KM): 10 +meters
• Short Distance (10KM): +50 meters
• Medium Distance (25KM): +400 meters
• Long Distance (50KM): +800 meters

These elevation gains reflect the unique terrain of the Wadi Degla Protectorate, combining hard-packed trails, sandy areas, and rocky paths to provide an exciting and dynamic trail running experience. Please note that these figures may be updated as the race date approaches.

The Wadi Degla Trail Race terrain offers a mix of surfaces to challenge and excite trail runners:

• 70% hard-packed trails
• 30% sandy and rocky sections

This combination provides a versatile and dynamic trail running experience. The uneven terrain, paired with varying elevations, ensures a unique, rewarding and unforgettable challenge for runners of all levels.

To support your race preparations, we developed this 7-week training program, which you can expand on..

Mandatory Gear for 25 km and 50 km

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 for your comfort and convenience during the race. We leave the choice to you 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

Mandatory Gear for 5 km and 10 km

• Running vest with at least 500ml water capacity
• Electrolytes – at least 500mg sodium + other electrolytes
• Nutrition – at least 500 Kcal of snacks or trail food
• Whistle
• 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

Recommended Gear

These items are for your comfort and convenience during the race. We leave the choice to you to bring the following:

• Running cap or hat, preferably with neck protection or a buff
• Sunglasses
• Sand gaiters
• Sunscreen
• Removable arm sleeves

Since these races are all single-stage events and will finish within the day, there is no need to book accommodations. Those who want to have an adventure-filled weekend are free to make their own arrangements.

Runners themselves will need to organize their transportation to and from the race venue. We suggest planning ahead with your trail running friends for carpool arrangements or hiring van rentals.

Participating runners must provide their own meals during the entire event. During the race proper, we will provide water and some fruits at the checkpoints. Please make sure to bring your preferred and tested nutrition and hydration to enable you to endure the challenge.

We would love to have you at our race and experience the adventure of running at the heart of Egypt! It is easy to join. All you need is to register here. When filling out the registration form, please ensure you upload a screenshot or photo of your passport. That’s it!