Katara Hills hosted, for the first time, the Fuwairit Running Challenge organized by the Qatar Sports for All Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Youth. The event saw wide participation of more than 600 runners of various ages and nationalities  across four race distances: 10 km, 5 km, 3 km, and a special 800-meter race for children aged 3 to 7, in a vibrant sporting atmosphere that reflects the growing culture of community sports in Qatar.

The race started at 6:30 AM with strong participation from youth and kids, and all categories witnessed intense competition. Qatari runners delivered impressive performances, while the children’s 800-meter race featured a lively family atmosphere with enthusiastic audience and encouragement from parents.

At the end of the event, a ceremony was held to honor the top three winners in each category with medals and prizes, in addition to recognizing all participants who completed the race, encouraging them to continue practicing sports and take part in future events.

Abdullah Al-Dosari, Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation, expressed his satisfaction with the success of the event in terms of organization and participation, noting that the strong turnout reflects the growing interest in community sports in Qatar. He added that the race and similar challenges have become key gatherings for running enthusiasts, attracting families and children alike.

Al-Dosari explained that the “Fuwairit Challenge” is being held at Katara Hills for the first time due to exceptional circumstances and in the interest of participant safety, as it is usually hosted in Fuwairit. He noted that this event marks the opening round of the “Qatar Desert Trails 2026” series, which includes five main races: Fuwairit, Al Wakrah, Sealines, Al Zubarah, and Al Khor. He emphasized that this year’s series builds on the success of previous editions, which contributed to raising awareness of the importance of sports and attracted strong participation from various age groups. He expressed hope that 2026 will be a milestone year for further developing community sports.

The desert race series covers some of Qatar’s biggest nature landmarks, offering participants the opportunity to enjoy nature and explore diverse landmarks across the country. Through these events, the federation aims to expand sports participation by diversifying activities, including trail races and marathons, which encourage family involvement and promote healthy lifestyles.

The federation continues to intensify and diversify its sports and recreational programs to meet the needs of all segments of society. These initiatives go beyond running races to include activities for elderly individuals and people with disabilities, as well as community programs such as “Your Weight is Right,” Al Furjan tournaments, and training courses in swimming and martial arts, including Muay Thai—all part of a comprehensive strategy to promote a healthy lifestyle and expand community engagement in sports.