Under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the Qatar Sports for All Federation has completed preparations for the latest edition of the long-distance race, the “Qatar Ultra-Marathon from East to West,” set to begin early tomorrow morning, Friday, in collaboration with the Qatar Runners Team.

The race starts from Doha Corniche in front of the Sheraton Hotel and ends at Dukhan Beach, covering a distance of 90 km. This year’s edition sees participation from a large number of runners, with 1,500 competitors of various nationalities. The competition includes 200 teams and 140 individual participants, with remarkable contributions from Qatari runners, including Samla race champions such as Abdulaziz Al-Tamimi, Faisal Al-Qahtani, Ibrahim Al-Harmi, and Ali Saleh Al-Hajri, alongside runners from diverse nationalities.

Teams can consist of two to six runners, as per their preference, with participants alternating across the six stages of the race. Individual participants are required to complete the entire 90 km distance. The race is open to both amateur and professional runners aged 16 and above, regardless of gender. Each stage covers a distance of 12 to 16 km.

Abdullah Al-Dosari, Head of Activities and Events at the Qatar Sports for All Federation, highlighted that this year’s ultra-marathon promises to be exceptional, reflecting the growing interest in the event each year. Last year’s edition featured approximately 1,000 participants from 73 nationalities, including 733 men and 267 women.

The federation, in cooperation with the Ministry of Sports and Youth, aims to deliver a unique edition that meets the aspirations of participants in this annual race. The ultra-marathon has gained widespread recognition for its contribution to enhancing readiness and preparing runners for global challenges and marathons.

Al-Dosari noted that the initial idea for the race came from a group of young Qatari runners and enthusiasts in the “Qatar Ultra Runners” group, which initially comprised only 15 participants. The Qatar Sports for All Federation later adopted and developed the idea, leading to its current success and growth.

Registration for the race was open for nearly six months, allowing runners ample time to prepare and encouraging more long-distance running enthusiasts to participate. The ultra-marathon is part of a broader calendar of 29 races and over 720 activities organized annually by the federation in collaboration with various entities and running groups.

A grand award ceremony will be held on Saturday at the Ministry of Sports and Youth to honor winners with medals for individual and team categories, recognizing their achievements in both the overall standings and specific categories.