Doha: Filipino International Triathletes in Qatar organised Summer Duathlon series that ended on July 19.
The first duathlon launched by sport enthusiasts in 2011 captured the attention of philanthropic cyclists and runners in Doha.
Organisers repeated the event in 2012 and made it an annual feature following positive feedback and success.
Duathlon not only encourages challenge but also participation in the event that promotes camaraderie among sport enthusiasts.
This year’s event was sponsored by Olympic Sports and supported by Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF), QSports, Qatar Red Crescent, Triathlon Warriors Foundation and United Filipino Mountain Bikers in Qatar. Two other duathlon races organised by FITQ were held in May and June.
Participants and organisers gathered in Losail. The QCF Hut was turned into a transition area.
Seventy-eight multinational duathletes registered for categories for distance courses for men and women.
These included short distance courses of consecutive 5km run, 20km bike and 5km run and long distance courses of consecutive 5km run, 40km bike and 10km run.
The long distance gun started at 4.30am and short distance started 15 minutes later.
Main event organisers Emerson Molina and Bernard Pingol inaugurated the race with a welcome and race/safety briefing.
Andi Jones secured the first place in the short distance men’s category with a time of 1:11:46.
Aday Alvarez came second with 1:13:05 and Kian Castaneda third with 1:21:42.
Luis Sanchez bagged the first slot in the long distance men’s category with 2:12:56; Joost Van De Venne second with 2:17:49 and Bernard Brian Pingol third with 2:19:09.
In the female short distance category, Isora Cabellero took the first place with 1:28:03; Marketa Klemmova second with 1:35:32 and Raflen Genovia third with 1:41:45.
Geraldine Diaz, sole female contender in the long distance category, completed the course, clocking 3:12:04. QCF representative, Mr Hussain, was present. Organisers praised participants, guests and crew members for support and thanked United Filipino Mountain Bikers in Qatar for providing safety marshal volunteers.
The Peninsula
