Arab contestants dominate second Esrar Race

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) *Moroccan male contestant Mohcine Zaytouni and Tunisian female contestant Dorra Alsbouai clinch this year's individual titles

Moroccan male contestant Mohcine Zaytouni from Qatar's Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) bagged the first place of this year's Esrar Race obstacle course at Aspire Park, finishing in 19 minutes and 28 seconds.

'I was really expecting to win, he told Gulf Times during the awarding ceremony after the race for the individual category last Friday.

'I am strong and trained hard to win, Zaytouni said, citing the support of his teammates and colleagues.


Winners for the women's category of Esrar Race 2018 receiving their awards.

He lauded organisers of Esrar for a well-attended and 'great race this year, which also attracted many 'strong participants and competitors. He plans to participate again next year.

Saudi participant Fahad Alsahli came in second place with 19 minutes and 46 seconds while another Moroccan contestant, Elarbi Khattabi, finished in third place (19 minutes and 50 seconds).

Dorra Alsbouai from Tunisia (who travelled to Doha from Kuwait) won the women's category in 24 minutes and six seconds to beat Spanish contestant Monica Sanches-Jimenez, who finished in 25 minutes and 41 seconds.

Czech contestant Katerina Matousova came in third after finishing the race in 29 minutes and 38 seconds.

In the final team relay competitions, which took place on the second day (March 24) of the race, ‘Runners' won the best team followed by ‘Tamim Al Majd.' The 'Super Healthy 2' team bagged the third place.


The race increased its obstacle courses from 14 last year to 21 this year, all set up along a distance of five kilometres at Aspire Park.

The unique event, organised by Aspire Zone Foundation's (AZF) and ‘Diverse' sports management company, attracted more than 500 contestants from Qatar and the region, as well as residents across the country.

According to AZF, more than 382 individual participants and 108 team members competed in 21 obstacles across five kilometres at Aspire Park.

The race also saw the participation of more than 13 male and female contestants from Kuwait in the individual and team relay competitions.


Mutaz Essa Barshim takes part in the race as an honourary ambassador.

Renowned sporting celebrities such as Qatar's Olympic Champion and the 2018 IAAF Athlete of the Year, Mutaz Essa Barshim, along with senior AZF officials led its CEO, Mohamed Khalifa al-Suwaidi, took part in the race.

Barshim, who participated in the race as an honourary ambassador, hopes the race motivates people to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle.

He believes such events will become legacy for future generations and he expects to see the number of participants to further increase next year.

Meanwhile, al-Suwaidi said the race 'sets a challenge with one's self and each participant aims to break and reach a new record.

'My personal goal was to finish the race today in a relatively good time without sustaining injury, he added. 'Together with other AZF members, we have decided to participate to send a message that we (as an organization) must move together with determination to achieve our goals.

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