Next Edition
October 3, 2026
What is UMED?
The Ultra Mirage© El Djerid (UMED) Race series is the first Ultra taking place in the stunning Tunisian Sahara desert. The Event is organised in the Djerid region once a year.
Three distances are offered: 100km, 50km, and 25km. All three are single stage races taking runners across a wide diversity of terrains, ranging from soft sand, small dunes, rocks, dried river beds, and oasis.
Both medical and technical help as well as water supply will be available at each checkpoint. This race is open to all types of athletes, from professional ultra runners to anyone passionate about ultra trails.
Welcome to the Oasis city
Tozeur is the main city of the Djerid, a region situated in South West of Tunisia. It is very well known for its stunning surroundings with a mixture of Rocky Mountains, valleys, salt lakes and desert dunes and most of all for the generosity of its people. The area of the Djerid has been the background of famous movies including Star Wars, the English Patient just to name a few. The diversity and the beauty of the Djerid makes it a major attraction for tourists from all around the world.
WHAT TO SEE
Explore the wonders of Tozeur and its surroundings.
- Over 400,000 palm trees spread across 1,000 hectares, producing some of the finest dates in the world.
- Unique brick patterns and designs that have been preserved for centuries in the old medina.
- The largest salt lake in the Sahara, famous for its stunning mirages and otherworldly landscapes.
- Several Star Wars filming locations are nearby, including the famous Mos Espa set.
Our Values
The UMED Race Series are organised by "Association Ultra Marathon Tunisie", a non-profit organisation whose only motive is to help promote the sport and the Djerid region. Our values and principles stand at the heart of our organisation. UMED is much more than just a common desert race.
Our event promotes:
- Gender equality: first athletic event in the country to apply gender equality on all prize money
- The Djerid Region: our event attracts more than 500 tourists from 27 different countries every year
- Sustainability: one of the first signatories of the Courmayeur convention for "clean sporting events"
- Inclusivity: we rely on local artisans, food producers and manpower, be it to supply the tasty Djerid dates, to race marshals and other helpers
- Plastic-free goodies: we aim to deliver the most eco-friendly experience to all and are very careful in selecting suppliers who embrace our principles.
Our Partners
Sponsors & Partners
Ultra Mirage is made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners.
Presenting Sponsor
Official Sponsors & Partners
Become a Sponsor
Join our community of partners and support the Ultra Mirage Desert Marathon. Get visibility, connect with runners, and be part of an unforgettable event.