The Qatar Sports for All Federation, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, announced the details of the Qatar Ultra Marathon 2026, from East to West, the ninth edition of the international race, which starts from Doha Corniche in front of the Sheraton Hotel and finishes at Dukhan Beach over a distance of 90 km, in cooperation with the Qatar Running Team. The race is open to men and women over the age of 18 and includes individual and team races, and is considered one of the leading strength and endurance races.

Mr. Abdullah Al Dosari, Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation and Chairman of the Race Organizing Committee, confirmed during the press conference held yesterday afternoon at Lusail Sports Hall that the Qatar Ultra Marathon 2026 will start on November 27. The new edition will feature a qualitative development through a newly introduced classification of participant categories, opening the door to long-distance race enthusiasts and providing the largest possible number of Qatari male and female runners, in addition to participants of various other nationalities, with the opportunity to participate. Approximately 86 nationalities participated in the previous edition, on a route extending from the east of the country to the west, combining endurance and excitement with favorable weather conditions.

Al Dosari revealed that the most notable feature of this year’s race is the increase in the number of participating categories to 12. These include the Al Adaam Individual Men’s category, as well as the Individual Women’s categories for those over and under 40 years of age, the Al Adaam Men’s Team category and its Women’s counterpart for those over and under 40 years of age, in addition to the General Individual Men’s category and the General Individual Women’s categories for those over and under 40 years of age, as well as the General Men’s Team category and the General Women’s Team category. He noted that participation in the team category allows each team to register between two and six runners at most, according to each team’s preference, with team members taking turns covering the six stages of the race. Individual participation, on the other hand, requires the runner to complete the entire race distance. Full details of the race, the conditions, and how to participate will be announced in the coming days through the Qatar Sports for All Federation’s application.

The Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation explained that the expected time to complete the race ranges between 12 and 16 hours, while the first-place individual runner can complete the full distance in approximately six hours, compared with around five hours and a few minutes for the teams, depending on the participants’ levels. The race route passes through the areas of Al Shahaniya, Al Nasraniya, Al Awaina, and Al Kobi, reaching the finish line at Dukhan Beach. These five stopping points allow the runners to replenish their water and beverages, in addition to the availability of ambulances and police vehicles to provide support and assistance and ensure the safety of participants throughout the stages of the race, under the supervision of specialized doctors. At the finish line, the winners, both men and women, will be awarded medals in all 12 categories, in addition to the crowning of the runners according to the overall standings of the various categories.

Al Dosari said, “At the Qatar Sports for All Federation, based on the support and attention of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, we aspire to organize an exceptional edition that meets expectations and keeps pace with the growing participation in the race from year to year. The number of participants in the new edition is expected to reach between 2,000 and 2,500 male and female runners. It represents an opportunity for everyone from the various categories who meet the participation requirements. It is also held at a time characterized by suitable and favorable weather conditions for men and women who enjoy running and long-distance races, allowing them to benefit from participation by improving physical fitness, promoting a culture of sports participation, and encouraging members of the community to maintain regular physical activity as a lifestyle.”

The 2025 edition saw the participation of approximately 1,800 male and female runners, including 137 Qataris and 1,663 residents, while the list included 1,222 men and 578 women. A total of 1,646 runners competed in the race as part of 296 teams, while 154 runners participated individually, indicating the expanding participation base and the diversity that distinguishes the race and reflects its development from one edition to another.