After kicking off last November, the Qatar Running Series is now halfway through – in collaboration with Z Adventures, the Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel recently hosted the third event of the popular six race event.
Created to promote health and fitness in Qatar, Qatar Running Series is a not-for-profit long-distance running series. The running series comprise distances ranging from 5K to full marathon, and is fast gaining popularity in Doha. Low-key in nature, the runs are restricted to a maximum of 150 runners across all distances.
The six chosen locations for the six marathons are QF Classic, Ceremonial Road, Sheraton, Aspire Zone, Barwa City, and Education City. The latter three locations will witness marathons on February 19, February 26, and March 11, respectively. The idea was floated by the local adventure-runner, Ziyad Rahim. Ziyad holds an impressive 10 Guinness World Records in marathons & ultra-marathons; which is the most by any long-distance runner in the world.
The Qatar Running Series is an initiative by Z Adventures, a sports travel company that specialises in luxury running and multisport adventures across the world. Z Adventures is helmed by Rahim, Dr Brent Weigner, a veteran of 280 marathons in over 90 countries, and Tee Morgan, an accomplished marathoner and nutrition expert. Sheraton said that their collaboration with Z Adventures to host the Qatar Running Series is in line with the hotel’s long-term commitment to fostering sports, nurturing young talents from across Qatar, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Among his many achievements, Rahim, a Pakistani expat based in Qatar, entered the Guinness Book of World Records in 2013 for completing a marathon on each continent, and the North Pole, the Marathon Grand Slam, in 41 days – the previous record was 324 days. In the process, he raised awareness for CARE Pakistan, a non-profit organisation providing free education to underprivileged children in Pakistan.
In an earlier interview to Community, Rahim said, “When you are running a marathon, you are running besides the most optimistic and the fittest people in the world. It is probably the only sport in which you take part and you raise money for charities.”
“Every week I play squash for two days, perform spinning exercises for another two and do the running exercise for two days. I run 20-25km every day,” Rahim had told Community, adding that he avoids fatty food, stays away from carbonated drinks and eats at regular intervals.
Pointing out how there’s just no excuse for living an unhealthy life as everyone can manage to make time for exercise, Rahim said, “You have 24 hours in a day. Even if you sleep for eight hours and work for 10, you are still left with six hours from which you can easily find an hour or so for exercise after spending time with your family.”
Son of cricket commentator Tariq Rahim, Rahim found his passion for adventure and running marathons when he was in Aitcheson College, Lahore. This is where he would participate in cross-country races. He moved to Canada in 2000. Since his house was near the start of Toronto Marathon, inspiration flew thick and fast and soon, Rahim had begun running.
Having run his first marathon in 2003, Rahim has been devoted to acing long-distance marathons and raising awareness about charities.
In 2010, he ran marathons for three consecutive weeks in UK and raised money for Pakistan’s flood victims. In 2012, he participated in the Marathon des Sables (MdS), the toughest foot-race on earth. For this, he joined hands with ‘Facing Africa’, a charity to create awareness and raise money for NOMA disease patients in Western Africa.
ON TRACK: Ziyad Rahim. Right: The participants during their recent run at Sheraton.
