The Open Water Challenge Race in on Friday, 16th March at 1:30pm and is open to anyone over the age of 11 years old and enables people of all abilities to swim the same course on Doha’s picturesque Corniche the day before Olympic and World Champions take to the water.
The exclusive experience will also see participants enjoy the same facilities and full services as the elite athletes, including the athlete pre-race call-room, the same starting platform, live athlete tracking and entering the post-race mixed zone, enabling everyone to be a world-class athlete for the day.
To top off the experience, the elite champions will be on hand during the Open Water Challenge to cheer on the participants and provide tips, advice and insights into what it takes to be a champion.
With weather and water temperatures expected to be ideal and the course taking place in front of Doha’s stunning skylines, competitors will have the opportunity to sample the very best of open-water swimming.
Commenting on the Open Water Challenge, President of the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) and FINA Bureau Member, Khalil al-Jabir, said: ‘While we aim to organise the FINA /HOSA Marathon Swim World Series to the highest possible level for all participants, our ambitions go far beyond this. We are determined to use the opportunity to grow and develop swimming by showcasing the sport to new audiences and creating an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone.”
The Open Water Challenge consists of three categories available for the public: 400m for boys and girls aged 11-14, 800m for boys and girls aged 15-17, and 1,200m for boys and girls aged 18 and over. Entries and registration is accepted either through an e-mail to [email protected] or at the Qatar Swimming Association offices on the 7th floor of Olympic Tower in West Bay between 9am and 12pm or 5pm and 7pm before 10th March.
Doha has hosted multiple top-level FINA events, including six FINA Swimming World Cups and the 2014 World Swimming Championships, but this is the first time that the FINA /HOSA Marathon Swim World Series will be hosted in the Qatari capital. The event will provide a valuable experience and added expertise, as well as further supporting the growth and development of swimming in Qatar, as organisers build up to the Doha 2023 FINA World Championships, the pinnacle event of the aquatics calendar.
The Doha Marathon Swim World Series takes place on Saturday 17th March, the day after the Open Water Challenge and is the first event of the 2018 calendar.
A total of nine meetings will take place in some of the world’s most scenic waterways, including the Seychelles, Portugal, Canada and China. Over 370 athletes from over 50 national federations all over the world will compete in the one-day competition programme from March until November, with a total of $30,000 prize money available per event.
The family-friendly event is free for the public to view from the Doha Corniche promenade and is one not to miss with several World and Olympic medallists participating.
The women’s elite competition (on March 17, 2018 at 08:30) will see an exciting showdown between Rio 2016 Olympic Champion, Sharon Van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands, 2017 World Series winner, Arianna Bridi and Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallist, Rachele Bruni, both of Italy and 2017 World silver medallist Samantha Michelle Arevalo Salinas of Ecuador.
Meanwhile in the men’s competition (March 17, 2018 at 13:30) Rio 2016 Olympic and 2017 World Champion Ferry Weertman will start as the strong favourite but will face stiff competition from Great Britain’s Jack Burnell, who finished just outside the medals in fourth place at last summer’s World Championships.
All information and updates, including details of how to enter the Open Water Challenge, can be found at www.qatarswimming.com
