The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar - More than 500 cyclists and runners have enrolled to compete for a total prize bag of $50,000 at the fourth Al Adaid Desert Challenge to be held on March 1, organisers said yesterday.
A total of 433 men, 76 women and 27 children have registered for the hugely popular event which will be held in Khor Al Adaid, a UNESCO recognised nature reserve in the south-east of Qatar.
“When we started the event in 2016, we had 189 participants and the following year it was 231. Last year we had 359 plus but this year we have more than 500. So we are pushing towards 600. We haven’t stopped accepting entries, just to allow people who are coming to register in the last minute,” Dr Jamal Rashid Al Khanji, Al Adaid Desert Challenge Managing Director, said during a press conference
“We also have a VIP category,” Dr Jamal added at the press conference was held at The St. Regis Doha, yesterday.
Thani Al Zaraa, Deputy Secretary General, Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation (QCTF), Ayed Hekmat, General Manager, Doha Takaful and Manar Khalifa Al Muraikhi, Director, PR and Communications, Ooredoo were also present at the media briefing.
The annual event will see cyclists tackling a 38.5-kilometre route, crossing seven sand dunes on their way to the finish line, while runners will cover a distance of 26.7km crossing four sand dunes in the process.
The cycling race already established itself as one of the toughest off-road mountain bike races in the region. It’s a UCI Class-3 event and it also serves as the final stage of the Qatar National MTB Cross-Country Championship.
Two kids’ races at the finish line camp will offer youngsters a chance to get their first taste of mountain biking and provide an ideal family atmosphere. Kids aged 7-11 years old can take part in a short race around the finish line camp, while those aged 12-15 years old can compete in a 5 km race on a specially-designed route.
Al Zaraa said yesterday: “Al Adaid Desert Challenge is an amazing event that all cycling enthusiasts in Qatar and the region are always keen on being part of it. The event is counting as The Qatar National Cross Country Championships with the biggest number of Qatari nationals guaranteed on the starting line. Qatari women will also be part of the event.”
Manar Khalifa said yesterday: “As we know sports and Ooredoo are well connected. We are committed to promoting a healthier lifestyle and being part of sport is very important for us.”
“As you know, the last Ooredoo Marathon was very successful. Participating number of athletes was more than 4,000. And compared to last year, it was like a 36 percent increase. Our participation would be in cycling now. It’s very important to promote a healthier life lifestyle among Qataris and also the locals in Doha. We’re delighted to be sponsoring the 2019 edition of the Al Adaid Desert Challenge,” Manar Khalifa added.
Al Khanji said the country’s leadership is keen on promoting sport as a way of life.
“The Ooredoo Marathon this year saw more 4,000 participants featuring in the race. That was the biggest number of participants taking part at a sports event in Qatar. This is due to our leadership’s interest in sports and the encouragement we receive,” Al Khanji said yesterday.
“His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani last year participated in the Sport Day activities with Qatar Cyclists on a bicycle. After that, the popularity surge of the sport has been unprecedented.
“I think Qatar has the opportunity to become one of the best cycling friendly nations in the region and I think the way the country is going from infrastructure to organizing big events, its definitely going in that direction,” Al Khanji added.
Al Adaid Desert Challenge is organized by Qatar Cyclists Center in association with Qatar National Tourism Authority (QNTC) and is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Sport and QCTF.
Further information about the Al Adaid Challenge can be obtained by visiting www.aladaid.qa