The city educational mountain biking track served as the venue for the third edition of the Ramadan running race, organized by the Qatar Sports For All Federation under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, in collaboration with Qatar Foundation. Scheduled for March 18, 2025, the event witnessed participation from 422 individuals across various age categories, all eager to engage in sports within the festive atmosphere of Ramadan.
Abdullah Al-Dosari, Executive Director of the Sports for All Federation, expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, "The third edition embodies a wonderful opportunity to promote family participation and enjoy practicing sports." This sentiment encapsulates the aim of the race: to strengthen community ties through healthy competition.
The race featured multiple distances: 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km, alongside a special 800-meter run for children ages 3 to 6. Participants over the age of 17 embraced this rewarding sporting experience, reflecting the event's inclusive nature.
Among the standout performances, the women's race for 2.5 km saw Fawz Shira Zylner clinch first place, followed closely by Aditi Ajeet, who showcased her speed and determination. Such victories are inspiring to younger athletes, as seen when Afini Ajeet triumphed in the beginners' category for ages 7 to 8 years. The open category was dominated by Kholoud Al-Kuwari, who emerged victorious alongside Sirin Abu Zaki, who excelled in the Masters category.
Transitioning from the women's event to the men's side, John Isaac took home the top prize for the 2.5 km average category. Ahmed Hashemi Sheikh secured the win for beginners aged 9 to 10 years, demonstrating the depth of talent among young competitors. The 5 km race was competitive, with Togg Berlinam Alinier proving his mettle as he won the Masters category.
For the 10 km race, Ronald Mujeita showed impressive stamina to claim victory among the open competitors, and Arnold Miling finished strong for the Masters. These results reflect the event's ability to showcase both new talent and established competitors.
The children's race, comprising 800 meters, also generated excitement. Edison Lyon prevailed for the girls, with Sheikha Al-Abdullah following close behind. The boys' race saw Cyrus Al-Tamimi finish first, exemplifying the youth engagement promoted by the federation.
At the conclusion of the event, all participants were honored with medals and encouraging prizes, fostering motivation among competitors to continue pursuing sports. This kind of recognition is pivotal for encouraging active lifestyles among all age groups.
Aside from competitive athletics, the day served as a platform for national pride, with reflections on tourism highlighting offers from Qatar Airways. The airline continues to provide attractive ticket deals on flights from Doha to selected Arab and Western destinations, promoting both travel and sports tourism as part of the nation's broader strategy to build community and engagement.
Overall, the Ramadan running race not only highlighted individual talents but also reinforced the cultural significance of sports within the community, emphasizing the importance of family-oriented events during the holy month.
