Doha: The Organizing Committee of the second edition of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Half Marathon and Team Qatar Activities 2026 has confirmed full organizational, logistical, and technical readiness during a press conference held today at Lusail Hall at the QOC headquarters.
The annual sporting event, along with the short-distance races and Team Qatar Village events , will take place on 10 February 2026, in celebration of Qatar National Sports Day. The press conference was attended by members of the Organizing Committee, including Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al-Thani, Head of the Marketing Committee of the Half Marathon and Team Village; Mr. Ahmed Al-Jaber, Head of the Technical Committee of the QOC Half Marathon 2026; Mrs. Maha Dahawi Al Shamari, Director Communication and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour; Mr. Abdulla Ibrahim Al-Fakhroo, Manager, Logistics & Security at Qatar Diar Real Estate Investment Company; and Mr. Ahmad Hassan Al-Mahasna, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communication at Qatar Development Bank, in addition to representatives of local and international media. The press conference opened with a welcome note by Mr.
Abdulla Mohamed Al Marri, Conference Moderator, who welcomed representatives of official entities, partners, sponsors, and media outlets. He highlighted the significance of the event as a key annual fixture that reflects the Qatar Olympic Committee’s commitment to promoting sport and fostering community participation, in line with the celebration of Qatar National Sports Day.
QOC Half-Marathon and Short Distance Races Mr. Ahmed Al-Jaber outlined the event’s technical details, race categories, and age-appropriate courses, announcing a new route for both the Half Marathon (21 km) and the 10 km race extending to the Qetaifan Islands Corniche, with the finish line at Lusail Boulevard. He noted that the Half Marathon will start at 6:00 a.m., Ad’am Village activities at 7:00 a.m., and that the highest standards of safety and medical supervision will be applied, alongside prizes for the winners. Team Qatar Village For his part, Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani confirmed that the event’s marketing strategy is fully
finalized and ready for field implementation. He praised the swift and effective cooperation of sponsors and partners in delivering a comprehensive package of logistical, medical, catering, and media services for the event.
He also extended his appreciation to the Ministry of Labour (Official Partner), Doha Bank (Team Team Supporter), WHOOP Smart Technology (Gold Sponsor), West Bay Medicare Center (Gold Sponsor), Al Rayyan Water Company (Gold Sponsor), The Look Company (Gold Sponsor), Recovery Lab (Gold Sponsor), and Qatar Development Bank (Gold Sponsor). Hel also added that Team Qatar Village at Al Sa'ad Plaza will host a vibrant programme of sports and entertainment activities, organized in collaboration with several national sports federations.
The event is supported by key partners, led by Qatar Diar Real Estate Investment Company as Host Partner, ASICS Japan as Official Apparel Sponsor, Doha Bank, the Ministry of Interior, and Hamad Medical Corporation, with strong and active engagement from volunteers.
Official Sponsors confirm their support to QOC Meanwhile, Mr. Abdulla Ibrahim Al-Fakhroo, Manager, Logistics & Security at Qatar Diar Real Estate Investment Company, highlighted the strength of the strategic partnership between Diar and the Qatar Olympic Committee.
He confirmed the readiness of infrastructure, logistical support systems, secured race routes, and coordination mechanisms with all relevant authorities to ensure smooth access to and from Al Sa'ad Plaza and Lusail Boulevard. In turn, Mrs. Maha Dahawi Al Shamari, Director Communication and Public Relations at the Ministry of Labour expressed her appreciation for the invitation and commended the strategic relationship between the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Labour, stressing that both entities are united as partners in success. She noted that today’s labour market is built on a culture of human capital investment across all sectors, including sport.
In the same context, Mr. Ahmad Hassan Al-Mahasna, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communication at Qatar Development Bank stated that Qatar Development Bank maintains a strategic partnership with the Qatar Olympic Committee in supporting the implementation of Qatar’s National Development Strategy. He affirmed that five Qatari companies remain committed to supporting all sporting events organized by the QOC, including activities held in conjunction with Qatar Sports Day.
For his part, Mr. Fouad Chehade, Head of Marketing at Rayyan Water Co., said that Rayyan Water is proud to support this sporting event, reaffirming its strong commitment to promoting health and well-being and encouraging an active lifestyle in the State of Qatar.
As the Official Hydration Partner of the event, Rayyan Water will provide the necessary water for participants before, during, and after the race, in support of national sporting events and the promotion of physical activity.
Team Qatar Volunteer Platform Mr. Ahmed Al-Jaber also announced the launch of the Team Qatar Volunteers Platform, a comprehensive and permanent system that manages volunteer registration, data, and task assignments across all major sports events hosted by Qatar.
These include the QOC Half Marathon 2026, the 4th Gulf Games 2026, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2029, and the Doha 2030 Asian Games.
The platform aims to build an integrated volunteer ecosystem, covering field operations, route guidance, registration support, bib and kit distribution, water and equipment delivery, start and finish assistance, as well as logistical, medical, and safety support.
It also facilitates direct engagement with participants, ensuring a smooth, safe, and well-organized event experience. The competition program features a diverse range of categories aimed at maximizing community participation.
These include a 1 km race for children aged 6 to 14, a 5 km race for boys and girls aged 15 to 17, and open categories for men and women aged 19 to 39 across 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km distances. Additional categories are allocated for participants aged 40 and above over the same distances.
The event also includes dedicated Team Qatar categories for men and women in both age groups, ensuring a fully inclusive and comprehensive sporting experience.
