Ooredoo Qatar prepares for largest ever Doha Marathon as World Athletics Gold Ranking Event Attracts Record Number of Competitor
Doha, Qatar
Ooredoo hosted a special press conference to unveil the specifics of the upcoming Doha Marathon by Ooredoo, scheduled on Friday, 16 February 2024. Now a prestigious World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, this year’s marathon is set to welcome over 10,000 participants. The event will witness the return of brand ambassador and Olympic high jump champion, Mutaz Barshim, alongside an elite field of athletes vying for glory.
The conference saw the presence of representatives from supporting and sponsoring entities, diverse media organisations, and the company’s brand ambassador, current Olympic and World Champion Mutaz Barshim.
The significant details of the marathon, recognised as the largest community sporting event in Qatar, were unveiled during the conference.
With six race categories, the event is designed to be inclusive, catering to all ages and abilities—from the full marathon to junior and kids’ races. Competitors with disabilities are enthusiastically encouraged to join, making the marathon a true representation of inclusivity and community spirit. The race timings are as follows with the Marathon beginning at 6:15am, Half Marathon at 7:30am, 10KM at 8:30am, 5KM at 9:10am, Junior 5KM (13–17-year-olds) at 9:10am, and Kids 1KM (Under 13-year-olds) at 10:30am.
This year’s event features an exciting Al ADAAM category in partnership with the Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM), bestowing special awards to encourage local athletes. Two new Volkswagen cars will also be given away as prizes, with all participants who finish their race being entered into the raffle. One of two cars will be allocated to the “Al ADAAM” category.
The race will begin and end at Hotel Park, providing a scenic route along the picturesque corniche—offering a more enjoyable, safer, and upgraded experience for both runners and spectators. ‘The Race Village’ at Hotel Park will be open for five days starting on Monday February 12, ahead of Qatar National Sport Day.
The Doha Marathon by Ooredoo has grown exponentially since 2013, aligning with Qatar’s flourishing health and fitness industry and the nation’s growing stature in hosting major sporting events. The global media coverage it garners also plays a crucial role in reinforcing Qatar’s tourism industry. Having achieved the World Athletics Gold Label, the Doha Marathon by Ooredoo now stands among the elite global road races, offering qualification opportunities for international events such as the Boston Marathon.
Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, Director of PR, Sponsorships, and CSR at Ooredoo Qatar, commented, “The overwhelming participation across all categories underscores the event’s appeal not just to elite athletes but to our entire community embracing active lifestyles. Our 5KM race alone has attracted over 3,000 runners, reflecting the marathon’s inclusive nature. This marathon is a key platform to advocate for a healthy lifestyle and community engagement for everyone. I would also like to express sincere gratitude to our sponsors and supporters, who are essential partners in the success of the marathon, for their contributions that are playing a crucial role in ensuring the marathon’s excellence.”
Mr. Mohammed Issa Al Fadala, Qatar Athletics Federation President, added, “We are proud to see the Doha Marathon ascend to World Athletics Gold status, joining the ranks of renowned marathons worldwide. This elevates not only the event but also the city of Doha on the international sporting stage”. Al Fadala stated that this year will see the participation of several elite international runners, promising intense competition similar to last year.
Mr. Abdullah Al Dosari, representative of the Ministry of Sports and Youth and Director of Sports Activities and Events at the Qatar Sports for All Federation, confirmed that The Doha Marathon by Ooredoo 2024 builds upon the success of a renowned community athletics event that has held a prominent position in the sports scene for numerous years. The continuous growth in participant numbers across various age groups each year highlights the significant role of sports in society.
The support of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, along with the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (DAAM), for such athletic endeavours underscores their commitment and recognition of the significance of sports within the community. The Doha Marathon by Ooredoo 2024 holds a pivotal position in the calendar of athletic events, both within and beyond the State of Qatar.