The International Desert Marathon is due to be held in Iran in May where participants will race in an inhospitable climate where temperatures rise as high as + 71�C (159.8�F) over a distance of 250 kilometers.

The marathon has been organized together with�the government of�Iran and aims to�highlight the beauty of�the Dasht-e-Lut desert, considered one of�the hottest places on�earth.

According to�the news agency ISNA, in�Europe this marathon is known as�the �Silk Road of�Iran,� Apart from�it being a sporting event the marathon is rather aimed to�create a tourist experience, which will be attended by�non-professional athletes as�well.

The purpose of�the event, according to�the participants is the ability to�survive in�extreme conditions, as�well as�to find a way out�of a difficult situation together, so there are no prizes involved. However, earlier, the authorities of�Kerman province said that there will be some reward still.
Iran is a country with�great traditions and culture. The event will bring tourists from�all over�the world.


�The marathon will be a great chance to�introduce Kerman�s attractions, especially its exquisite and vast deserts, to�the world,� the manager of�Italian travel agency L�agenzia di Viaggi, Massimo Tardi said Borna News Agency reported.
Tardi further noted that there is a lack of�comprehensive information on�Iranian deserts, �Only a handful of�people have visited Iran�s deserts in�the past�decade because of�lack of�publicity.�


Italian marathon runner Paolo Bargini in�collaboration with�an Iranian travel agency will design the event�s program.
Regarding the marathon Bargini said, �Here the speed is not important. Travelers of�the desert have their own rules. Only 20% of�the participants are professional athletes who will be interested in�speed competition. The rest will come here to�assess own capabilities, self-knowledge and familiarity with�the country's culture.�


The distance through�the desert lies at�250 km and the participants will have to�overcome it in�8 days.

The path will begin in�a caravan (a traditional hotel in�the desert) and the participants will complete their journey at�another caravan. This journey was made in�order to�show people all notable stops on�the Silk Road.
The cost of�participation in�the marathon for�Iranians will be 1,000 euros whereas the foreigners will have to�pay 2,500 euros. In addition, to�participate in�the race one does not have to�be a professional athlete.


Anyone can take part in�the marathon but�they will have to�follow three basic guidelines. Electronic devices are not allowed, participants must bring their own food as�only water will be supplied by�the organizers and participants can only carry a backpack weighing 5-6 kg.

The desert marathon is considered to�be an important world-class event and the last time such an event was held in�Morocco and it was attended by�1,400 people.
Each year a country, often African, is selected to�host the desert marathon, however, due to�the deteriorating security situation in�many parts of�Africa and the Middle East this year's marathon will be held in�Iran.


Iran announced that just in�time for�the marathon, the Lut Desert will be considered by�a committee to�become a part of�the UNESCO Natural Heritage list. Iran expressed hope that these two events will contribute to�the growing tourist attraction in�the region.

By Sputnik