The Qatari Sports for All Union, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, has announced the details of the fourth edition of the “Dheeb Ultra Desert Marathon” for the year 2023. This international race is recognized by the International Trail Running Association for long distances. It is organized in collaboration with Trails Sports Events Company. The current edition of the race, scheduled for November 24th-25th, will take place in the Zekreet area, following the success achieved in the previous three editions in terms of participant engagement and meticulous organization.

The race will commence at 7:00 AM in waves, with 1,100 participants competing in running events and 400 participants in cycling races. The competition includes categories for youth aged 12 to 18, a category for individuals aged 18 to 40, and the “Alpha Wolf” category.

The announcement of the launch of the fourth edition of the “Dheeb Ultra Desert Marathon 2023” came during a press conference held yesterday afternoon at the Lusail Sports Arena, the headquarters of the Ministry of Sports and Youth. The conference was attended by Abdullah Al Dossari, Director of Events and Activities at the Qatari Sports for All Union, and Abdulaziz Al Abdullah, the Executive Director of Trails Sports Events Company.

During the conference, details of the race were revealed. The race will be held in two stages: the first stage will be dedicated to mountain biking on November 24th, featuring two distances of 25 and 50 kilometers. The following day, November 25th, will host the second stage of the running race. Additionally, a 3-kilometer race for the youth category will take place to encourage their participation in a non-competitive event.

Furthermore, there will be distances of 10, 25, and 50 kilometers for various categories including men, women, and the “Alpha Wolf” category, which is a category designed for participants with greater capabilities, involving a 50-kilometer cycling race on the first day and participation in the running race on the second day.

Registration will be open for everyone, including men, women, children, and seniors, starting from Wednesday, August 23rd, via the Qatar Sports for All Union’s application.

The top three winners in each category will receive cash prizes. As for the “Alpha Wolf” category, they will have distinctive and unique prizes. Additionally, every participant who completes the race will receive a commemorative medal, along with a T-shirt, a headband, and a bag. Participants in the 50-kilometer running race will also earn internationally recognized points from the International Trail Running Association.

The race will start from Zekreet and will follow a sandy track with varying levels of light to moderate difficulty, ensuring that participants of all skill levels can take part. The race path will include several significant locations such as the East-West Sculpture, the Dheeb Village, and the Broq Nature Reserve.

Abdullah Al Dossari, the Director of Events and Activities at the Qatar Sports for All Union, stated during the press conference: “The Dheeb Ultra Desert Marathon is returning this year with a distinctive edition that is eagerly awaited by those who prefer this type of long-distance race and who are keen to participate in it. The race provides a unique sporting atmosphere for participants of all age groups, including youth, children, and seniors. The intention behind this event is to provide a calendar full of marathon-related activities, maximizing the use of suitable natural locations for such races.”

He emphasized that this race is part of the comprehensive calendar of events and sports activities organized by the Qatar Sports for All Union, which includes over 683 activities aimed at diversifying events to increase the number of sports practitioners and promote a healthy lifestyle for the entire community. The Director also noted that the race offers young people an opportunity to utilize these gatherings, maximize their engagement in running and cycling, and improve their physical fitness. It also encourages both young and old friends to participate in the sports events provided by the Union. This leads to a yearly spectacle of family participation, including fathers, sons, grandfathers, and mothers, contributing to raising general awareness about the importance of regular physical activity as a lifestyle.

The Director of Events and Activities at the Qatar Sports for All Union further added, “We look forward to making this year’s edition exceptional and outstanding in the best way possible, just as we have come to expect in terms of joint organization with Trails Sports Events Company. We anticipate greater participation compared to previous years. The event will take place at the beginning of winter when the weather is very favorable for engaging in long-distance cycling and running. This will make it easier for participants to cover the race distances and tackle the challenges presented by the race course.”

Al Dossari also emphasized that this year’s race edition is expected to see an increase in the number of participants. He urged everyone to register quickly before the slots are filled and to carefully consider their choice between the various race categories, whether in running, cycling, or both categories combined.

He added that there is a special opportunity for everyone to spend enjoyable times, whether by participating in the race or following the services provided during the race, including meals and sports recovery centers, in addition to experiencing the picturesque beauty of the Zekreet area during this time of the year.

On his part, Abdulaziz Al-Abdullah from “Trails for Sports Events” expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Qatari Sports Federation for their continuous support to all races and sports activities. He highlighted their role in elevating running and cycling races. Mr. Abdullah also announced new benefits for this year’s edition of the race, including an incentive feature for participants. This entails providing a discount of 25% for the first 200 individuals who register for the race.

Moreover, the number of participants in the running race will be increased to reach 1100 runners, in addition to 400 participants in the cycling race. This is due to the significant demand witnessed in previous editions year after year.

In conclusion, Abdullah expressed his belief that the upcoming edition of the race will be a true addition to the value of this event, anticipating a substantial increase in participation across various categories.