WXC09 logo (© IAAF.org)
Given that the 37th IAAF World Cross Country Championships on Saturday 28 March is taking place in the desert kingdom of Jordan, athletes from over 60 countries who will participate in the event should be pleasantly surprised to find the championship venue is situated in relatively lush surroundings.
While much of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan which spans the southern part of the Syro-Arabian desert down to the Gulf of Aqaba is covered by desert, the north-western area in which the capital city of Amman is situated in part of what is known as the Fertile Crescent.
The Bisharat Golf Course which plays host to this month’s championships lies south of Amman, with free transport being offered to the spectators travelling from the capital. The location offers some of Jordan's most beautiful scenery, lying in two natural valleys surrounded by rolling hills, and since its establishment in 1990 has provided a nine hole challenge to golfers.
Given its beautiful setting work on constructing the cross country course has been carried out carefully in co-ordination with the Jordan Olympic Committee's Sport and Environment Committee, with a view to enhancing the natural landscape. Trees and plants will be replanted as opposed to being removed and the route of the races was even shifted to avoid an active ant colony!
As well as caring for the environment Amman 2009 will also leave a lasting sporting legacy in its wake with the creation of a brand new running facility for the whole of Jordan.
The Bisharat Golf Club will become a running centre open to all with a running circuit being created around the perimeter of the golf course. This will be only the second specialised running route of its kind in a city serving nearly 3 million people.
As to the course for the four races of the championships themselves, the senior men will run 12km, the junior men and senior women have an 8km challenge, while the junior women will race over 6km.
To download (pdf) the Course Map and Profile see 'Related Content' under the photograph.
IAAF
Click here to read details of the Free Transport for spectators to the course from Amman.
