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Largest National Marathon in History Brings the Community Together in a Celebration of Qatar's Sporting Spirit
Maribel Saad, Feb 18, 2024
18
February 2024
Doha,
Qatar
The
Doha Marathon by Ooredoo, a hallmark event in Qatar's sporting calendar and a
World Athletics Gold Label-Accredited race, has successfully crossed the finish
line, setting new records in participation and community engagement, and nearly
doubling the number of entrants from 2023. Over 13,000 runners from 124
countries and thousands of supporters came together to create an unforgettable
day of sportsmanship, unity, and athletic achievement.
This
year's marathon, renowned for its inclusiveness and celebration of
sportsmanship, saw participants from across the globe competing in a range of
distances, including an elite group of international runners such as Mohcine Outalha—the
reigning 2023 Doha Marathon Champion—from Morocco, Awet Habte from
Eritrea, Rebecca Cheptegei from Uganda, and Rose Chelimo from Kenya.
Distances
included the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10KM, 5KM, Junior 5KM for teenagers,
and Kids 1KM races, with over 1,000 participants also joining in on the fun
virtually. Each race was designed to accommodate runners of all abilities,
emphasising the event's commitment to fostering a love for physical activity
among people of all ages.
The
winners of the marathon categories, who have set new benchmarks in their
respective races, are as follows:
● Full Marathon
(42.2KM): Solomon Mutai triumphed with a stellar time of 02:12:48, showcasing
exceptional endurance and speed.
● Half Marathon
(21.1KM): Osama Zadzer emerged victorious, completing the race in 01:09:29,
reflecting remarkable determination and agility.
● 10KM Race:
Muhyadin Elmi Ismail led the pack, finishing in 00:29:42, demonstrating both
tactical running and sheer tenacity.
● 5KM Race:
Mohammed Rageh won with a time of 00:15:15, highlighting the spirit of
fast-paced and competitive running.
● Junior 5KM
(13–17-year-olds): Hamse Haibe Adam shone brightly, finishing in 00:15:05,
inspiring his young peers with their performance.
● Fun Run (Under
13-year-olds): The future of athletics was on display as Taha Yessine Bhara
crossed the finish line in 00:03:10, becoming the youngest of champions.
● Al-ADAAM
Category: Abdulla Fahad Al-Zarra crossed the finish line of the males’ full
marathon in 02:47:04, while Lolwa Al-Marri completed the females’ full marathon
in 04:34:50. Mohamed Elmekkaoui finished the males’ half marathon in 01:10:37,
while
Noor
Al- Jaber completed the females’ half marathon in 01:149:16. In other
categories, Mohammed Jaber M E Al Ahbabi finished the males’ 10KM race in
00:37:40, and Marwa Elsayed completed the females’ same race in 00:54:54.
Abdulrahman Bajaidah crossed the finish line in the males’ 5KM race in
00:17:36, which Hamdie Handji Said completed in 00:29:36 in the females’
section, and Sultan A Kareeb completed the males’ fun run in 00:03:40, which
Shaikha Al-Tamimi completed in 00:03:27, in the females’ category of the same
race.
Reflecting
on the marathon's success, Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chief
Executive Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, remarked: "The Doha Marathon by
Ooredoo has once again surpassed expectations, uniting athletes and supporters
in a celebration of health, endurance, and community. We're incredibly proud of
each participant's achievements and the collective spirit of this event. Our
heartfelt thanks go to everyone involved, from the athletes and volunteers to
the thousands of supporters who cheered them on. Together, we've made this day
a landmark event for Qatar's community."
Mohammed
Issa Al Fadala, President of the Qatar Athletics Federation, thanked Ooredoo
for hosting such a successful event, which he said continues to improve year
after year, and added that the Qatar Olympic Committee has always highly
supported this event, which became key in Qatar’s sporting and community
calendar, and an important tool to encourage residents to remain active. Al
Fadala also commented on the new route, which he said was well studied, and
praised the significant participation from international runners and their
achievements, which he said reiterates the importance of the marathon as one of
the largest races in the region and the world.
Speaking
to media following his win, Ugandan runner Solomon Mutai was visibly joyful,
stating: “The race was successful, and the organisation was wonderful. The most
important thing to me was to win the race without aiming for a better time, and
I am happy with the win.”
As
for the first-place winner in the women’s category, Kenyan runner Valary
Jemeli, said: “The race was good, and this was the first time I participated in
a long time. I am happy with the wonderful atmosphere and organisation, and I
hope to return here again.”
In
addition to the athletic achievements, the marathon underscored Ooredoo's
commitment to social responsibility, with
parts
of the proceeds dedicated to supporting local charities across Qatar. The event
also highlighted inclusivity, welcoming competitors with disabilities and
celebrating local talent through the Al-ADAAM Category in partnership with the
Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM).
The
Doha Marathon by Ooredoo not only celebrated winners but also the enduring
spirit of the Qatari community, the joy of participation, and the shared
commitment to health and wellness. As we look forward to next year's event,
Ooredoo remains dedicated to inspiring individuals of all ages to embrace
sports and physical activity, reinforcing the company's vision of enriching
people's lives and giving back to the community.
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