It is all about participation. This is an opportunity for everyone and anyone who has never before tried running in a competition. Open to public in different categories from 10-km run to 1-km walk, Doha Dash returns next month.
Created by Professional Sports Group to support the vision of Qatar National Sport Day, The Dolphin Energy Doha Dash will take place on February 9 this year and will bring the community together at Losail International Circuit for a chance to run in one of the three distances on offer.
The event is accessible for everyone with 10km, 5km and 3km races from ages eight and above, a 1km race for children and a ladies’ 1km walk. Doha Dash is a family event and a fun, active day out for all to enjoy. The Race Village, situated in the pit lanes, provides a wide range of activities suitable for of all ages.
All the races in the Doha Dash take place on the track at Losail International Circuit and start and finish in the home straight, with warm-ups for each race taking place in the pit lane. All races are chip timed and participants will be able to view their finishing time following the race.
“We are proud of Dolphin Energy’s long-standing association with Doha Dash. We believe that practising sports and leading an active lifestyle is integral to personal and social well-being and we are committed to promoting these values, especially at a local level in Qatar,” said Hassan al-Emadi, General Manager Qatar, Dolphin Energy, the title sponsor of event, in his statement.
The registration for the run was officially launched in November last year and Qatari hurdler Mariam Farid, the 400m hurdles silver medallist at the West Asian Championships, was appointed the Doha Dash ambassador.
“There is no event like Doha Dash in Qatar. It is not just a wonderful sporting event, it is a community event that brings everyone together. I attended last year’s event and was really pleased with the overall organisation and the fact that anyone can take part, not just experienced runners, but also beginners and even children,” said Farid.   
“This year, I am delighted to be a Doha Dash 2016 ambassador and take this opportunity to invite everyone to the event. I am really looking forward to running with my family and friends,” added Farid.
The Doha Dash is an inclusive event which caters for everybody. The 10km Doha Dash is open to ages 14 and above. A new addition for 2016 event — the 10km race — is for those who want to take on a challenge.
The 5km Doha Dash is open to ages 12 and above. Runners in the 5km category will complete one full lap of the Losail International Circuit. However, the 3km Doha Dash is open to ages eight and above. The 3km race is perfect for families who want to run together and participants who want to sample the experience of mass participation running but do not want to push themselves too hard.
There is a 1km Mini Doha Dash with free entry and is open to children aged five to 12. The 1km race will start and finish on the home straight. For women, there is 1km ladies’ walk, also on free entry and is open to ages five and above. The 1km ladies’ walk is perfect for ladies who want to participate, but don’t want to run. Ladies participating in the 1km walk are invited to bring small children and pushchairs.
Since 2013, the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash has raised QR150,000 for charitable causes through a donation of 25% of its registration fees, sponsor pledges and participant fundraising. In 2015, the Dolphin Energy Doha Dash donated to the creation of a new playground for the Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs.
The run was launched in 2013 by Dolphin Energy and Professional Sports Group. “The objective of the event is to support the vision behind Qatar National Sport Day and encourage citizens and residents of the country to live more physically active lives,” said Adel Ahmed Albuainain, CEO, Dolphin Energy Limited.  
Since its launch, the Doha Dash has seen a steady year-on-year increase in participation. As many as 2,546 participants took part in the 2015 event, which is approximately a 77% increase from the inaugural event in 2013.