Under the representation of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Qatar Sports for All Federation announced that registration is now open for the Dheeb Ultra Desert Marathon 2025, recognized by the International Trail Running Association and held for the sixth consecutive year.

The event will take place on 21–22 November 2025 and is considered one of Qatar’s most prominent community sporting events. It brings together runners and cyclists from inside and outside the country, offering an atmosphere of challenge and excitement amid Qatar’s desert landscapes in the Zekreet nature reserves.

The competition includes two stages: the first for mountain biking with distances of 25 km and 50 km, and the second for running races. These feature a 3 km junior race, an 800 m kids’ race, and longer distances of 10 km, 25 km, and 50 km for men and women. A special Alpha Dheeb category challenges participants with a 50 km cycling race on the first day, followed by a long-distance run on the second.

Mr. Abdullah Al-Dosari, Executive Director of the Qatar Sports for All Federation, affirmed that this year’s edition will be exceptional, attracting endurance athletes who thrive in such unique desert conditions. He noted that the event reflects the federation’s commitment to a sports calendar filled with marathons and endurance challenges, making full use of Qatar’s natural terrain.

He added that the timing—at the start of winter—offers excellent weather for long-distance running and cycling, enabling participants to take on the race distances while overcoming the desert’s natural challenges.

Al-Dosari also highlighted that participation numbers are expected to grow this year and encouraged interested athletes to register early through the Sports for All app before capacity is reached. The race will start at 7:00 a.m. from Zekreet, with participants setting off in groups along sandy routes of varying difficulty, passing landmarks such as the East–West/West–East sculpture, Al Dheeb Village, and Brooq Nature Reserve.

Winners of the top three positions in each category will receive cash prizes, with special awards for the Alpha Dheeb category, while all finishers will be awarded commemorative medals.

The Dheeb Ultra Desert Marathon has grown steadily over the years: 420 participants in 2019, 1,000 in 2020, 1,146 in 2022, 1,300 in 2023, and 1,500 last year.