By Fawad Hussain
DOHA: Over 4,000 participants are expected to take part in this year’s Dolphin Energy Doha Dash, a one-off event backed by British track and field legend Dame Kelly Holmes.
Today’s event, set to be held inside Losail International Circuit, is being hosted to mark Qatar’s National Sport Day.
“It is a privilege to be here for a second year as a Dolphin Energy Doha Dash ambassador to lend support to this wonderful community event,” Kelly Holmes, the double gold medallists at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, said yesterday.
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“Overall I think it’s great that Qatar and the Qatar Olympic Committee is supporting this initiative. Only a handful of nations around the world have a dedicated sports day, that is a national holiday which gives people the opportunity to go out and give sports a try,” said the former British athlete who won the premier medals in 800 and 1,500 metres.
Supporting the vision behind the National Sport Day, the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash has established itself as one of the most popular community events in Qatar.
Since its launch in 2013, the event has seen a steady year-on-year increase in participation. The organisers are expecting a record participation in today’s event.
The event features several races which will be open to public from 7am today. The 10km, 5km and 3km races will start at 8am, 9.15am and 9.45am respectively, with a warm-up period of 10 minutes preceding each race.
The 1km Mini Doha Dash will start at 10:45am, followed by the 1km Ladies Walk at 11:00 am.
Prize giving ceremonies for the 10km, 5km and 3km races will be held following the races. Apart from Kelly Holmes, Mariam Farid, the Qatari National title-holder for the 400m hurdles, also a Dolphin Energy Doha Dash 2016 ambassador and Ali Longmate, fitness expert and radio personality, will also be present at the event and are scheduled to participate in the different races.
Kelly Holmes who still holds several British records in 800, 1000 and 1500 metres was impressed with the potential of sports in Qatari people.
“I have visited Sherborne School in Doha today (yesterday) and it was a great reminder of how much potential Qatar has in terms of achieving excellence in sports,” she said.
“There were some really talented children there and it is important that they are provided with the enabling environment, such as, access to facilities, excellent training, lifestyle and nutritional support, because this is how talented children become champions.
“Events such as Doha Dash are especially important because they mean different things to different people. It could be the motivation to participate for some, going for a personal best time or even finishing the 10km run for others.
“Having something for everyone is crucial and that is why the race has become so popular over the last four years,” she said.
Kelly Holmes, who retired in 2005, said she will in action in April in London.
“For me this year, I am attempting my first ever London Marathon in April. The Marathon for me is a personal challenge as I just want to finish” she said before adding: “I have chosen five charities for the Marathon and aiming to raise over GBP 250,000 via team Kelly’s heros page on Virgin money giving. Hopefully anyone who sees me at the Dash and has a selfie will make a small donation – and I will happily retweet them.”
Besides the races, the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash 2016 will also feature a number of fun activities to keep spectators and young families entertained throughout the event, including the GO Sport Fitness Centre equipped with state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
The race’s airline partner, Etihad Airways will be bringing their state-of-the-art Formula 1 simulators for participants who will turn out for the exciting event.
The Peninsula
