Lusail City, by Qatari Diar, was to play host to elite athletes in triathlon’s Asian Cup yesterday. Instead, it was one of the events to fall to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the massive growth in popularity of this sport ensured huge local interest filling all slots within days of entries opening and organiser, Qatar Triathlon Federation, putting on a show worthy of the absent pros.
Qatar national team member Ebrahim al-Romaihi (Q-TRI) was first out of the marina’s waters after completing the 750m swim in 12:53. He carried most of that 15 second advantage out onto the 20km bike course but was quickly overhauled by Ireland’s Bernard McCullagh who went on to seal the victory with a blistering 16:32 5km run. His pace was only bettered by Aspire Academy’s Endurance Coach Steve Macklin (TriClub Doha) and the Irishmen were the only athletes to go under the hour for the three disciplines.
Julie Melville (Rasen Adventure Shop), a familiar name on Qatar’s bike racing scene, makes a return to triathlon this season and has claimed the fastest woman title in both National Triathlon Series races so far. Melville sacrificed her swim advantage to Andrea Stadler (Triclub Doha) with a slow transition to the bike but a predictably strong leg here put her back in a strong lead; too much for Toni Snoxell (TriClub Doha) to catch despite being the only woman to run under 20 minutes with a 19:09 5km.
Other notable performances came from swim specialist Sarah Nicholls (Triclub Doha) in the masters women category and Patricio Gutierrez (Team Doha Cycling) in junior men; both swimming 13 minutes dead - a time only beaten by al-Romaihi.
Competition in the relay competition became ever more intense; the top ten teams recruiting members capable of topping the leaderboard for each of the swim, bike and run disciplines. Teams containing national cycling team members battled for the top spot but it was Rasen Adventure shop (Stuart Bloor/Marwan al-Jalham/Rachid Boudalla), finishing first, in a time which put them five minutes clear of the individual winner.
Qatar National Triathlon Series is sponsored by Qatar Olympic Committee, Sports Corner, Rasen Adventure Shop, Rayyan Natural Water, Al Dar Marine and Yalla Toys. 


Results
Junior Men
1. Patricio Guierrez (Team Doha Cycling) 1:04:23
Men 18-39
1. Bernard McCullagh 58:33
2. Erik Solberg (TriClub Doha) 1:02:19
3. Ebrahim al-Romaihi (QTRI) 1:03:22
Men 40+
1. Steve Macklin (TriClub Doha) 59:48
2. Barry Shillabeer (TriClub Doha) 1:03:44
3. Simon Mortimer 1:04:12
Junior Women
1. Ailsa Cameron (TriClub Doha)  1:16:39
2. Anvitha Erini (TriClub Doha)  1:27:06
3. Rasha Kalandan (TriClub Doha)  1:36:19
Women 18-39
1. Toni Snoxell (TriClub Doha)  1:07:03
2. Carla Pregigueiro (TriClub Doha) 1:07:33
3. Adeline Cormary (TriClub Doha) 1:11:42
Women 40+
1. Julie Melville (Rasen Adventure Shop)  1:06:42
2. Andrea Stadler (TriClub Doha)   1:08:08
3. Daniela Sposi (TriClub Doha)   1:11:13
Relay
1. Rasen Adventure Shop   53:50
2. QTRI 1   54:25 (best all Qatari team)
3. Ghariya Triathlon Club   56:32
Qatari Category
Qatari Men 18-39
1. Ebrahim al-Romaihi (QTRI)   1:03:22
2. Saad al-Mejali (QTRI)   1:03:26
3. Mohamed Ajlan al-Kuwari (GTC)   1:05:03
Qatari Men 40+
1. Abdulaziz al-Mohannadi (Lusail Team)  1:15:31
2. Soliman al-Adawi (QTRI)   1:17:30
3. Abdulhadi al-Shawi   1:19:32
Qatari Women 
1. Noor Aljaber (Titanium)   1:33:27