Muscat – In a demonstration of endurance and personal commitment, Omani cyclist Omran Marhoon Khamis al Mundhiri, 26, from Samail, has completed a ride of more than 2,757km to promote Oman’s tourism potential and encourage participation in sports.
Mundhiri set off on the journey on December 5 from Makkah, Saudi Arabia passing through Madinah before continuing across several regions of the kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, and arriving in Oman on December 22.
Covering long stretches of open highways, particularly in Saudi Arabia, Mundhiri said the ride tested his physical limits. Strong winds and occasional sandstorms made cycling difficult, while the distances between cities required careful planning to reach suitable locations for rest and overnight stays.
He told Muscat Daily that he cycled from around 6am to 5pm every day, covering between 100km and 180km. After entering the UAE, his daily distance increased to about 200km, supported by better road lighting and conditions. The Saudi leg accounted for a major portion of the total distance.
The purpose of the journey, Mundhiri informed, was to promote sports awareness and healthy lifestyles, while highlighting Oman as a tourism destination. The ride included visits to Islam’s holy sites in Saudi Arabia.
Mundhiri’s preparations for the ride included daily training, extended gym sessions and detailed study of the route and weather conditions. He carried essential equipment, including utensils, medical supplies, camping gear, bicycle repair tools and charging devices with him on the ride.
Despite the scale and scope of the ride, he said he did not receive any financial or logistical support. He expressed appreciation for the cooperation he received from Saudi authorities and residents along the route, as well as assistance provided up to the UAE border.
Describing the ride as a milestone in his sports career, Mundhiri noted that this was his second long-distance cycling expedition, having previously cycled from Samail to Dhofar during khareef.
He plans to undertake more cycling challenges in 2026 and hopes to receive institutional support for such initiatives. He also urged young people to take up sports, stressing that patience and perseverance are key to success, and that regular physical activity is an investment in long-term health and wellbeing.
