Qatar Airways is flying in scores of the world’s top runners to take part in the prestigious sixth annual Ooredoo Doha Marathon.

Thousands of runners of all ages and abilities are expected to participate in the hugely popular race as Qatar Airways continues its sponsorship of the event, in association with the event’s sports tourism partner, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).

The inspiring British multiple World, Olympic and European champion, Sir Mo Farah, leads the pack of the top 18 world’s best male and female runners taking part in the Elite Half-Marathon.

Other world-famous runners competing with the Olympic athlete and top-medal winner include Chris Thompson of Britain, Eyob Faniel of Italy, Melina Wolf of Germany, Azucena Diaz of Spain and Monica Silva of Portugal.

The highly-anticipated marathon will begin at 6:30am on January 12 outside Qatar’s famous Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), with the run taking place against the backdrop of Doha’s iconic skyline.

The event will see thousands of local and international runners, both young and old, pacing themselves across several different running courses starting from Doha’s Corniche.

Organisers hope that the fun event will also help to promote a healthier lifestyle. Funds raised from the run will go to charities in Qatar to give back to the local community.

“Qatar Airways is pleased to sponsor the Ooredoo Doha Marathon, which every year attracts some of the best athletes from around the world,” Qatar Airways’ marketing and corporate communications senior vice president Salam al-Shawa said. “It also promises to be a fun-filled day for runners of all ages and helps promote a healthy lifestyle for locals and visitors alike.”

“With our belief in the power of sport to bring people together, we are delighted that 2018 has kicked off with this long-running sponsorship, which has quickly become a firm fixture in Qatar’s sporting calendar,” she noted. “We wish all the runners well and look forward to congratulating everyone who participates.”

QTA”s chief marketing and promotion officer Rashed al-Qurese said they are delighted to have such an accomplished field of international champions coming to Qatar to participate in the country’s largest mass participation event.

“The elite athletes’ involvement helps us to echo Qatar’s message of welcoming the world, and shines a spotlight on a fast-growing sports tourism destination,” he stressed. “We look forward to hosting them with the traditional Arabian hospitality where Qatar is renowned for, as well as hosting them on visits to some of our world-class sports facilities.”

Ooredoo’s public relations and corporate communications director Manar Khalifa al-Muraikhi said Ooredoo is thrilled to welcome runners of all ages and abilities to this highly-anticipated event.

“We have no doubt that this will be Ooredoo’s biggest marathon to date with the help and participation of the local community and our sponsors,” she said.

Khalifa al-Muraikhi pointed out that Ooredoo Doha Marathon’s aim is to inspire Qatar's communities to live a healthier and more active lifestyle, as she thanked Qatar Airways for “once again helping us achieve this goal.”

All runners, both new and experienced, are invited to participate in one of four courses for different abilities: a full 42km marathon for experienced runners, a half-marathon of 21km, as well as a 10km route and 5km course. Children can also take part in the fun, with a special children’s marathon of 3km and 1km.

Over the past five years, the marathon has grown to become one of the most popular sporting events in Qatar, attracting thousands of runners of from countries all over the world.

Supporting many world-class local sports initiatives, Qatar Airways, the Official Airline partner of FIFA, is also a leading supporter of major global sporting events, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and the FIFA Club World Cup.

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