DOHA (Qatar): The Al Adaid Desert Challenge will feature a strong participation of 625 competitors for the first time in its five year history.
The addition of an MTB + Run format for 2020 has further boosted interest, attracting 50 competitors
Hailed as the ‘The Gulf region’s toughest one day off-road cycling and running competition’, the event will be held here on Friday.
Organisers also face their own challenges in making the race ever more appealing.
Dr. Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, President of Qatar Cyclists Center said: “Qatar Cyclists take joy and pride in improving the Al Adaid Challenge every year and in this 5th edition we are especially pleased to achieve another record entry – more than 600 riders for the first time”
The destination this year is the recently opened desert resort at Al Majles which is has capacity to offer a luxury experience to the expanded field.
Reaching the new finish line had already required a two kilometre course extension and the addition of an eighth dune, however with the shifting sands allowing the sea to inundate the planned route, the Challenge will now feature ten dune crossings along the 40km cycling route, with a strength-sapping seven dunes over 28,5km for runners.
The Al Adaid Desert Challenge is designated as UCI category 3 mountain bike race – the only Qatari event currently to feature on the International Cycling Union’s calendar – bringing an international field and contributing to the region’s developing prominence as a sport tourism destination.
Professional and former professional elite athletes seeking racing opportunities during the European winter are also attracted by the exotic character of the event and come in pursuit of a prize purse which this year will be QAR 215,000 – the highest awards in the world for a category 3 race.
Managing Director of the event, Dr Jamal Al Khanji said: “Every year the Al Adaid Desert Challenge has grown and this year we have had a huge increase in participation, created in part by the addition of a new off road duathlon competition.”
