Visit Qatar has partnered with the Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla) to organize the second Samla International Race on 23 January 2027. The event offers a challenging 100-kilometre endurance sports competition across Sealine and Khor Al Adaid, aiming to strengthen Qatar’s position as an international adventure sports destination by attracting male and female athletes from around the world to compete in swimming, running, off-road cycling and kayaking. The race is now open for registration. It is part of a three-year strategic partnership for 2027 to 2029 to help develop sports tourism in Qatar.
Scheduled for 23 January 2027, the upcoming race will unfold across the striking desert and coastal landscapes between Sealine and Khor Al Adaid. The event promises to challenge competitors with a demanding combination of physical endurance, technical ability and determination, reinforcing Qatar’s growing appeal as a destination for international adventure sports.
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The Samla International Race 2027 will feature four demanding disciplines: swimming, running, off-road cycling and kayaking. Participants will begin with a 3-kilometre swimming section before moving into a 21-kilometre run. The next stage involves 22 kilometres of off-road cycling, followed by a 4-kilometre kayaking segment. Athletes will then return to their bicycles for another 22-kilometre off-road stretch before facing a final 28-kilometre run to reach the finish line.
Together, these six consecutive stages will cover 100 kilometres, creating a demanding test of stamina, versatility and athletic performance against the backdrop of Qatar’s distinctive natural terrain.
Commenting on this, Mr. Ahmad Al-Binali, Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, said: “We are delighted to announce a long-term strategic partnership between Visit Qatar and the Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla), spanning three years from 2027 to 2029. The partnership aims to continue developing the Samla International Race and strengthen its presence on the international sporting stage, supporting Qatar’s position as a global destination for sports tourism and major events. The Samla International Race exemplifies the integration of sport and tourism, with the visitor experience extending beyond the race itself to discovering the wide range of experiences and events Qatar has to offer”.
Mr. Azzam Abdulaziz Al-Mannai, President of Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla) said, “We are delighted to launch the Samla International Race 2027 in partnership with Visit Qatar and to mark this important milestone by signing a three-year strategic partnership agreement beginning in 2027. This partnership represents an important step in our vision to develop the Samla International Race into an integrated sports and tourism platform combining endurance, adventure, and competition while showcasing Qatar’s unique natural landscapes and tourism offerings to athletes and audiences from around the world. We greatly value the support and confidence of Visit Qatar and look forward to building, through this partnership, a sustainable international event that strengthens Qatar’s position as a leading destination for sports and tourism, in line with our shared vision and ambitions for the years ahead”.
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The organising committee has announced a substantial prize fund of USD 600,000 for the Samla International Race, recognising outstanding performances across both the men’s and women’s competitions. The winners in each category will receive USD 100,000 for first place, USD 60,000 for second place and USD 40,000 for third place. Athletes finishing between fourth and tenth positions will also receive cash awards ranging from USD 20,000 to USD 8,000, according to their final standings. The prize structure is designed to reward athletic achievement, encourage international participation and motivate competitors to deliver exceptional performances in one of the region’s most demanding endurance events.
The upcoming Samla International Race is also expected to strengthen Qatar’s expanding calendar of international sporting competitions while supporting its broader ambitions in sports and adventure tourism. By combining competitive endurance racing with the distinctive desert and coastal landscapes of Sealine and Khor Al Adaid, the event will help showcase Qatar’s potential as a destination for world-class sporting experiences and outdoor adventure.
