The Peninsula
The President of the Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF), Mohammed Issa Al Fadala, says he expects good running times today from elite athletes and the community participants to have a great time as a record 8,000-strong participants take to the streets in Doha today for the 11th Doha Marathon by Ooredoo 2023.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of a press conference yesterday, Al Fadala said, “I think the athletes are ready, and I think the marathon will be fast tomorrow. The road is different, and this is what we need ... a new location, good weather conditions, and I am sure the participants are ready.
“We don’t also forget the others from the communities. They will also race because tomorrow’s weather will be perfect for them.
“Good luck to all the participants. This is the first time we have reached 8,000 people; getting more people into this is our target. Next year, I hope it will be more and more professional athletes.”
The starting gun for the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo will go off at 6.15 am, with local runners lining up alongside elite international athletes. Top marathoners like the Kenyan trio of Thomas Kiplagat, Gevin Kerich and Beatrice Cheptoo, and Ethiopians Hiribo Shano, Meseret Belete and Fantu Jimma will headline the race.
Runners will participate across a range of distances, from the 1km kids’ race to the full 42.2km marathon. The event kicks off at Parade Pavilion, The Amir’s Grandstand, Al Corniche, with runners heading towards Katara, Lusail, and back to Al Corniche.
The full marathon starts at 6.15 am, followed by the half marathon at 6.30 am. The 10km category kicks off at 8.50 am, with the 5km category at 9.40 am. Finally, the 1km category for kids begins at 10:30 am.
This year’s total prize pool is around QR1m for all categories, while all participants who finish their category will get a medal.
All participants crossing the finish line in all categories from 5km upwards will be entered into a prize draw, with the grand prize being a Volkswagen T-Roc.
“I think this year it’s something different than previous years,” Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, Director of PR at Ooredoo, told The Peninsula.
“The good thing here is we have elite runners from everywhere. They are participating for the first time because this is the first year we have the labelling of the International Federation. This has given Doha marathon by Ooredoo an added value than the previous years,” he added.
Al Kuwari said he hopes the event continues to grow and cross the 10,000 participants mark in future races.
“We are optimistic for next year to have something bigger, to reach 10,000 or 12,000 participants, and more. Our target in Ooredoo, one of the main pillars and social responsibility, is to make the marathon bigger. We have been making this for 11 years before, and that’s not easy,” Al Kuwari added.
Temporary closure for marathon
Several roads in Doha will be temporarily closed for the Doha Marathon 2023 today, the Ministry of Interior has announced. According to the MoI, Corniche, Katara, The Pearl Qatar, Lusail, and other adjacent lanes are among those to be closed to traffic from 3 am to 12 noon today.
The MoI advised commuters to take alternative routes and indicated that traffic patrols would regulate traffic movement surrounding the marathon tracks.
The marathon will feature four courses for all running abilities. Participants with disabilities can also participate in all distance categories up to 21km.