Doha, January 11 (QNA) - The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) is stepping up its administrative, technical, and logistical preparations for the second edition of its annual Half Marathon 2026.

To take place at Lusail Boulevard on Tuesday, 10 February, the Half Marathon will be held in conjunction with National Sport Day, underscoring the QOC's enduring dedication to spreading sports culture and encouraging an active lifestyle among all members of the community.

Alongside the marathon, a diverse range of sports and entertainment activities will take place at the Team Qatar Village in Al Sa'ad Plaza, organized in cooperation with several national sports federations and supported by a distinguished group of partners, including Qatari Diar as the host, ASICS Japan, a global leader in sports equipment, Doha Bank, the Ministry of Interior, Hamad Medical Corporation, and a team of dedicated volunteers.

The race will feature categories that cater to different ages and fitness levels. These include: Children (ages 6–14): 1 km, Youth (ages 15–17): 5 km, General category (ages 19–39): 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km General category (ages 40 and above): 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, team Qatar category (ages 19–39): 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, team Qatar category (ages 40 and above): 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, The event ensures wide participation and a comprehensive sports experience for all age groups.

The QOC invites participants of all ages to register online via the official QOC website, according to approved terms and conditions. The committee aims to expand the event's reach, increasing participation from 6,000 runners in the first edition to 10,000 in 2026, attracting competitors from both inside and outside the country, highlighting the event's international and competitive nature.

On this occasion, Vice Chairman of the Half Marathon Organizing Committee Salah Al Saadi stated that the QOC is committed to delivering an exceptional experience for all participants and ensuring the long-term sustainability of this annual event, in line with its vision, "To become a Leading Nation in Bringing The World Together Through Sustainable Sport Development."

Al Saadi highlighted that the race is one of the flagship community and sports events on the QOC's calendar. It is a groundbreaking initiative that reflects Qatar's commitment to making physical activity a way of life, bringing families of all ages and fitness levels together in a healthy, uplifting, and positive environment.

The organizing committee of the annual Half Marathon is working to deliver a second edition that meets the highest technical standards, ensuring a comprehensive and outstanding sporting experience for participants. The event also aims to promote a culture of physical activity in Qatar and encourage all segments of society to actively engage in sports, in alignment with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030. (QNA)