In total, 130 male and female recreational runners over the age of 12 years were joined by 21 of Aspire Academy’s professional track-and-field student-athletes as they took part in the 2K, 4K and 6K races.
This brings the total number of participants across both series of the Aspire Park Run Challenge, including the first series that took place on November 11, to more than 280, AZF has said in a statement.
Alanoud al-Mesnad, acting head of Events at AZF, said they had more than 130 participants in the first series and over 150 in the second. “We’re very pleased both with the large turnout and to see so many recreational runners in Qatar getting involved. Adding the 2K race to this series meant we had more young people taking part. We also had a number of school and university students involved, which added to the overall numbers.
“The Aspire Park Run Challenge series enables recreational athletes to take part alongside Aspire Academy’s student-athletes, providing an exciting opportunity for people keen to compete in such events alongside the professionals.”
She added that AZF and Aspire Academy are due to bring back the Aspire Park Run Challenge in March, April and December next year, given the “huge popularity of the event among members of the local community".
In the 6K race for men, Mehdi Mesani secured first place after finishing the race in 19 minutes and 30 seconds. Second-place winner Salim Jabour finished the race in 20 minutes and 57 seconds, while Ambroise Aufrere finished in third place - completing the race in 21 minutes and 12 seconds.
In the women’s category, Saba Aziz won first place after finishing the race in 20 minutes and 31 seconds, followed by Soul Robertson in second place after finishing the race in 29 minutes and 14 seconds. Isobell Bushell was third after finishing in 30 minutes and 11 seconds.
In the 4K race for men, Mubarak Mohamed came first after finishing the race in 13 minutes and 12 seconds. Mohamed Adam was second after finishing in 14 minutes and one second, while Ayoub Merzougui trailed a second behind, coming in third place after finishing the race in 14 minutes and 02 seconds.
Meanwhile, Natalia and Sophie Wazny finished first and second in the women’s category after winning in 16 minutes and 16 seconds, and 17 minutes and 46 seconds, respectively. Charlie Robertson came third after finishing the race in 18 minutes and seven seconds.
In the 2K race for men, Ayman Shani won first place after finishing the race in six minutes and 56 seconds, followed by Waleed bin Amar, who finished in seven minutes and 23 seconds. Badreldin Abdallah secured third place after completing the race in seven minutes and 54 seconds.
In the women’s category, Noureldine Elfangary won first place, finishing the race in seven minutes and 53 seconds, followed by Amelia Bennett who finished in second place after completing the race in eight minutes and six seconds. Rachel Strandvik finished in third place after completing the race in eight minutes and 12 seconds.
Winner of the men’s 6K race, Mesani, said he was proud to have successfully improved his performance in the second Aspire Park Run event after finishing in second place in the men’s 6K race in the first series of the competition.
Participants taking part in 2K race
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) successfully organised the second series of the Aspire Park Run Challenge recently.
