Qatar is preparing for a packed endurance sports season, with five major events scheduled between November 2026 and March 2027, bringing together professional athletes, amateur competitors and sports enthusiasts for challenges spanning running, swimming, cycling and multisport competitions.
Taking place across
Doha, Lusail City, Dukhan Beach, Sealine and Khor Al Adaid, the events will
showcase the country's sporting infrastructure and diverse landscapes, from its
urban waterfronts to desert terrain.
The season begins with
the Qatar East to West Ultramarathon on November 27, 2026, marking its
ninth edition. The 90km race runs from Doha Corniche, near the Sheraton Hotel,
to Dukhan Beach on Qatar's west coast. Organised by the Qatar Sports for All
Federation (QSFA) in collaboration with Qatar Runners Team, the challenge is
divided into six stages, with medical and water support along the route. The
2026 edition introduces 12 individual and team categories for men and women,
with organisers expecting between 2,000 and 2,500 participants. Registration is
available through the QSFA app.
From December 10–12,
Lusail City will host the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final,
bringing the Professional Triathletes Organisation's T100 Triathlon World Tour
season to a close for the second consecutive year. Professional athletes will
compete across a 2km swim, 80km cycling course and 18km run. The three-day
programme will also include amateur competitions, including sprint and open
triathlons, age-group championships and community running events. An event
village featuring entertainment, food and activities will welcome spectators.
The Doha Marathon
by Ooredoo returns on January 15, 2027, for its 15th edition, with
approximately 25,000 participants expected. Starting and finishing at Hotel
Park on Doha Corniche, the redesigned 42km route will pass landmarks including
Souq Waqif and Doha Port. Race categories include the full and half marathons,
10km, 5km and Family Run, alongside a new four-person marathon relay. The event
will also introduce the Yellow Race for participants with visual impairments
and retain its World Athletics Gold Label status for the third consecutive
year.
On January 23, the Samla
International Race will challenge competitors with a non-stop 100km
multisport course between Sealine and Khor Al Adaid. Participants must complete
swimming, running, off-road cycling and kayaking within 12 hours. The event
offers a total prize pool of $600,000, including $100,000 for each category
winner. Its return forms part of a three-year partnership between Visit Qatar
and Qatar Challenge Racing Club, running until 2029.
The season concludes
with the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Doha, scheduled for March 18–20, 2027,
at Old Doha Port. Qatar's first IRONMAN-branded event will feature a 1.9km
open-water swim, 90km cycling course and 21.1km run, covering a total distance
of 113km. The programme will also include an IRONKIDS race, while the main
competition offers qualifying opportunities for the IRONMAN 70.3 World
Championship. Registration for the main race is already sold out, with IRONKIDS
registration due to open soon.
Together, the five
events position Qatar as a regional destination for endurance sports, offering
opportunities for elite athletes and recreational participants while showcasing
the country's urban attractions, coastline and desert landscapes. -TradeArabia News Service