As many as 900 participants, including 600 females, joined the third annual cross-country race championship organised by Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with the Sports Affairs Department and the Alumni Association and featuring distances of 3km and 5km, over the weekend.
"This championship emphasises the importance of sports and aligns with Qatar's vision in the sports sector, where significant progress has been made regionally and globally," said Jassim al-Hamar, head of Men’s Sports Activities and Fitness Programmes at QU.
Amina al-Kaabi, section head of Women's Athletics at QU, described the event as a great opportunity to encourage girls to engage in running. "This requires no prior athletic experience but motivates them to participate in sports and improve their overall health. The university provided an excellent environment for girls, with the sports field entirely closed for the comfort and privacy of the participants, during the race.”
The cross-country race championship is a form of endurance race where participants run long distances for extended periods, in contrast to short-distance speed races that are measured in seconds.
