Sinai Mountain Challenge

The Sinai Mountain Challenge is a limited-entry event taking place in the St. Katherine Protectorate Mountain range in Sinai, Egypt. This mountain challenge features St. Katherine’s famous peaks, including Mt. St. Katherine, Egypt’s highest peak at 2,642 meters above sea level.

The 2026 edition offers three distance options to accommodate different experience levels. The Four Peaks Challenge includes Mt. Abbas, Mt. Moses, Mt. St. Katherine, and Mt. Sefsafa. The Three Peaks Challenge covers Mt. Abbas, Mt. Moses, and Mt. St. Katherine. The Two Peaks Challenge features Mt. Moses and Mt. St. Katherine. The cut-off time is generous enough for power walkers and hikers who want to complete the scenic course.

The terrain is rocky and semi-technical in several sections, with routes consisting primarily of rocky trails, technical mountain sections, and hard-packed valley paths interspersed with softer ground. Participants experience breathtaking scenery with the iconic peaks of St. Katherine Protectorate providing a stunning backdrop. The challenge starts at the Secret Garden mountain lodge at 1,900 meters above sea level and finishes at Ramadan Garden mountain lodge at the foot of Mt. St. Katherine.

Distance Options

Four Peaks Challenge

• Peaks: Mt. Abbas, Mt. Moses, Mt. St. Katherine, Mt. Sefsafa
• Distance: 35 km
• Elevation Gain: 2,400 m+
• Cut-off Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
• Experience Level: Experienced mountain runners

Three Peaks Challenge

• Peaks: Mt. Abbas, Mt. Moses, Mt. St. Katherine
• Distance: 32 km
• Elevation Gain: 2,000 m+
• Cut-off Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
• Experience Level: Intermediate to experienced runners

Two Peaks Challenge

• Peaks: Mt. Moses, Mt. St. Katherine
• Distance: 28 km
• Elevation Gain: 1,800 m+
• Cut-off Time: 10 hours 30 minutes
• Experience Level: Intermediate runners and hikers

All distances and elevation figures are subject to change. Final routes will be provided in GPX files. Because of the high elevation gains, participants are strongly recommended to train well.

Practical Information

Event Dates

• April 30 – May 2, 2026 (Wednesday to Friday)
• Challenge Date: May 2, 2026 (Friday)
• Registration opens: February 2026

Location

St. Katherine Protectorate Mountain range, Sinai, Egypt. The challenge starts at the Secret Garden mountain lodge (Base Camp 1) at 1,900 meters above sea level and finishes at Ramadan Garden mountain lodge (Base Camp 2) at the foot of Mt. St. Katherine.

Event Schedule

Thursday, May 1:

• 6:00 AM: Depart Cairo (from Maadi neighborhood)
• 1:00 PM: Arrive St. Katherine, lunch
• 3:00 PM: Hike up to Base Camp 1
• 6:00 PM: Dinner and challenge briefing

Friday, May 2:

• 5:30 AM: Breakfast at Base Camp 1
• 6:30 AM: Challenge start (all distances)
• 2:00 PM: Lunch at Base Camp 2 (served after runners finish)
• 5:00 PM: Challenge cut-off
• 7:00 PM: Bedouin dinner and medal ceremony around campfire

Saturday, May 3:

• 6:30 AM: Breakfast at Base Camp 2
• 8:00 AM: Hike back to St. Katherine
• 11:00 AM: Depart back to Cairo
• 6:00 PM: Arrive Cairo

Course Support and Checkpoints

Checkpoints are positioned approximately every 6-8 km along the route, providing water only. Runners must carry their own nutrition and electrolytes throughout the challenge. All participants must pass through and check in at each checkpoint. Race organizers and marshals monitor safety and provide basic first aid at checkpoints.

Mandatory Gear Requirements

All participants must carry:

• Running vest with at least 1L water capacity in bladder and/or bottles
• Electrolytes (at least 3,000mg sodium plus other electrolytes)
• Nutrition (at least 1,000 Kcal of energy gels, bars, or equivalent)
• Whistle
• Emergency blanket
• Trail running 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
• Small first aid kit

Recommended Gear

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

Navigation Requirement

GPX route files will be provided to all participants. Runners must download the files onto their sports watches and/or GPS navigation apps. No participant will be allowed to start the challenge without the GPX file uploaded and saved on their device.

Accommodation

Registration includes two nights at mountain lodges:

• Night 1: The Secret Garden mountain lodge (Base Camp 1)
• Night 2: Ramadan Garden mountain lodge (Base Camp 2)

Both lodges have running fresh mountain water, squat toilet facilities, stone rooms, and semi-open sheds. Runners can sleep in rooms, under sheds, or set up personal tents in the garden. Weather will be pleasant during daytime and cold at night.

Additional Items to Pack for Accommodation:

• Sleeping bag and sleeping mat
• Warm layers and jacket
• Headlamp with primary and spare batteries
• Toiletries, towel, toilet paper
• Own medication, ear plugs, preferred beverages (coffee, tea, etc.)
• Swimsuit
• Personal items

Transportation

Registration includes roundtrip bus transportation from Cairo (Maadi neighborhood, South Cairo) to St. Katherine. International participants should plan arrival in Cairo on Wednesday night and book accommodation in Maadi. Do not plan flights out of Cairo before 9:00 PM on Saturday, May 3.

Important Notes

This is a limited-entry challenge. Priority is given to securing runners’ accommodations and bus spots. Availability for families and support crew is not guaranteed.

Costs

Registration Fee

Registration fees will be announced when registration opens.

What’s included in the registration

• All meals from Thursday lunch through Saturday breakfast (Vegetarian and vegan options available upon request, inform organizers of food allergies)
• Roundtrip bus transportation from/to Cairo
• Two nights accommodation at mountain lodges
• Water and Bedouin beverages
• Personalized challenge shirt
• Finisher’s medal
• Checkpoint support
• Professional photography

What’s not included

• Trail nutrition during the race (participants must provide their own)
• Personal gear and camping equipment
• Medical insurance (recommended)
• Accommodation in Cairo before/after event

Medical Insurance

Personal medical insurance is recommended. Race organizers and marshals provide basic first aid at checkpoints. In case of medical emergencies, participants should have insurance to ensure proper care at medical facilities.

Organizer

Ultra Ibex is a Cairo-based trail running and outdoor adventure events organizer, founded by members of Wadi Ibex, Egypt’s first trail running team. The organization is led by experienced ultra-endurance and trail running athletes. Ultra Ibex organizes trail running events throughout Egypt, including the Sinai Mountain Challenge, Red Sea Hurghada Challenge, Wadi Degla Trail, Wadi Rayan Desert Challenge, Roody 50x, and Sinai Exodus Challenge.