Qatar to Host Five Major Endurance Sports Events from November 2026 to March 2027

Doha, Qatar — 10 November 2026: Qatar is preparing for an exciting endurance sports season featuring five major events between November 2026 and March 2027, bringing together professional athletes, amateur competitors, families and sports enthusiasts from around the world.

From a 90km ultramarathon crossing the country to world-class triathlon competitions and demanding desert challenges, the upcoming calendar will showcase Qatar’s diverse sporting landscape.

The events will take place across Doha Corniche, Lusail City, Dukhan Beach, Sealine, Khor Al Adaid and Old Doha Port, offering participants and spectators opportunities to experience some of Qatar’s most distinctive locations.

1. Qatar East to West Ultramarathon — 27 November 2026

Location: Doha Corniche to Dukhan Beach

The ninth edition of the Qatar East to West Ultramarathon will take place on Friday, 27 November, challenging runners to complete a 90km route across Qatar.

Starting near the Sheraton Hotel on Doha Corniche, the race will take participants westward towards Dukhan Beach.

Organised by the Qatar Sports for All Federation in collaboration with the Qatar Runners Team, the event features six stages, with hydration and medical support available along the course.

The 2026 edition introduces an expanded classification of 12 categories across individual and team competitions for men and women.

Organisers expect approximately 2,000 to 2,500 participants, reflecting the growing interest in endurance running in Qatar.

The race can be completed individually or through relay participation, allowing runners to share the challenge as a team.

Date: Friday, 27 November 2026

Distance: 90km

Route: Doha Corniche to Dukhan Beach

Registration: Qatar Sports for All (QSFA) application

2. Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final — 10–12 December 2026

Location: Lusail City

Lusail will welcome leading international triathletes for the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, concluding the 2026 T100 Triathlon World Tour.

Organised by the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and Visit Qatar in partnership with the Qatar Triathlon Federation, the event will bring professional and amateur competitors together for three days of racing.

The professional competition covers a total distance of 100km:

• 2km swimming

• 80km cycling

• 18km running

The women’s professional race will take place on Friday, 11 December, followed by the men’s race on Saturday, 12 December.

The programme begins on Thursday, 10 December, with the community-focused 1km and 5km Kick Off Runs, welcoming participants of different ages and abilities.

Friday’s activities also include a Sprint Triathlon featuring a 750m swim, 20km cycling course and 5km run.

Saturday will feature the open 100km triathlon and the T100 Age-Group World Championships, allowing qualified amateur athletes to compete for international titles.

An event village in Lusail will provide additional activities, entertainment and food options for participants and spectators.

Dates: 10–12 December 2026

Location: Lusail City

Registration: https://t100triathlon.com/qatar/participate/

3. Doha Marathon by Ooredoo — 15 January 2027

Location: Hotel Park, Doha Corniche

The Doha Marathon by Ooredoo will return for its 15th edition on Friday, 15 January 2027, with approximately 25,000 runners expected to participate.

The event will feature a redesigned full-marathon course starting and finishing at Hotel Park, passing some of Doha’s best-known attractions, including Souq Waqif and Old Doha Port.

Participants can choose between several race categories, including:

• Full Marathon — 42.195km

• Half Marathon — 21km

• 10km Run

• 5km Run

• Family Run — approximately 1km

• 42km Relay Race

The new marathon relay will allow runners to complete the full distance together as a team.

The 2027 edition will also introduce the Yellow Race, a dedicated category for participants with visual impairments, reinforcing efforts to make the event more inclusive.

The marathon will hold World Athletics Gold Label status for the third consecutive year, further strengthening its international profile.

Date: Friday, 15 January 2027

Start and finish: Hotel Park, Doha

Registration: https://www.dohamarathonooredoo.com/

4. Samla International Race — 23 January 2027

Location: Sealine to Khor Al Adaid

One of Qatar’s most demanding endurance competitions, the Samla International Race returns on Saturday, 23 January 2027.

The race will mark its second international edition as part of a strategic partnership between Visit Qatar and the Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla).

Open to male and female competitors from around the world, the event challenges athletes to cover 100km within 12 hours across a demanding desert course.

The competition combines swimming, running, off-road cycling and kayaking.

Participants will complete the following stages:

• 3km swimming

• 21km running

• 22km off-road cycling

• 4km kayaking

• 22km off-road cycling

• 28km running

The course takes athletes through the diverse natural landscape between Sealine and Khor Al Adaid, testing physical endurance, navigation and adaptability.

The 2027 competition will offer a total prize pool of US$600,000, with US$100,000 awarded to each category winner in the men’s and women’s competitions.

Date: Saturday, 23 January 2027

Distance: 100km

Location: Sealine to Khor Al Adaid

Registration: https://samla.com.qa/samla100/

5. IRONMAN 70.3 Doha — 18–20 March 2027

Location: Old Doha Port

Qatar will host its first IRONMAN-branded event from 18 to 20 March 2027, with the inaugural IRONMAN 70.3 Doha taking place against the waterfront setting of Old Doha Port.

The main race, scheduled for Saturday, 20 March, will cover approximately 113km across three disciplines:

• 1.9km open-water swimming

• 90km cycling

• 21.1km running

The course will take participants through the waters of Old Doha Port and across routes featuring the capital’s coastal scenery and recognised landmarks.

The event weekend will also feature an IRONKIDS race on Friday, 19 March, encouraging younger participants to become involved in the sporting celebrations.

IRONMAN 70.3 Doha will offer qualifying slots for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, giving eligible competitors an opportunity to advance to the international stage.

According to the event announcement, registration for the main race is sold out, while IRONKIDS registration is expected to open separately.

Event dates: 18–20 March 2027

Main race: Saturday, 20 March

Location: Old Doha Port

Main-race registration: Sold out

Qatar’s Growing Reputation as an Endurance Sports Destination

The five events demonstrate Qatar’s continued efforts to develop a diverse sporting calendar that combines international competition with opportunities for community participation.

The season includes options for beginners and families, such as community runs and shorter race distances, alongside technically demanding challenges intended for highly trained endurance athletes.

From waterfront routes in Doha and Lusail to the desert environments of Sealine and Khor Al Adaid, the calendar highlights the variety of landscapes available for sporting events in Qatar.

As thousands of participants and spectators prepare for the upcoming competitions, Qatar’s endurance sports season will offer further opportunities to promote active lifestyles, international sporting engagement and sports tourism.

For registration, eligibility and the latest event schedules, participants should consult the respective official organisers before making arrangements.