Aimed at building a healthy, physically-fit and capable Qatari generation, the organisers of the elite ultra-sporting event, Samla Desert Extreme Trek, unveiled the logo and the programme for this year’s edition, yesterday.
The third edition of the race that spans 200km and focuses on the remote and culturally rich locations, has been scheduled from April 9 to 12, 2017. Prize money of QR1.35m will be given away to the winners with QR500,000 for the first place. The race is exclusively for Qatari male citizens above 18 years old.
Samla is a Qatari traditional word that stands for persistence, patience, and challenge.
The race will take competitors through 10 main different stages. Competitors have to succeed in each level to move on to the next. The race will be held in the desert starting from Sealine region and ending in Al Jamiliyah town. “This year the race promises to be more exciting and arduous with new challenges in the fray,” Azzam bin Abdelaziz Al Mannaie, CEO of the Organising Committee told the media.“The ultra race and trek spans 96 hours, and unlike last year when the race was held in stages this time, it will be back-to-back (continuous). The cut of time has been kept to 96 hours giving free will to the runners to take their own time, but not beyond 96 hours.”
“There is a mix between walking and running on sand dunes and on land, kayaking, shooting and cycling. After every 10km, there would be camps offering participants replacements," he said.
Some 420 competitors have already registered. The registration will end on March 16 or earlier if the number of competitors reaches 500.
