Aspire Park Run challenge proves to be a big hit

Doha: The second series of the Aspire Zone Foundation’s (AZF) Aspire Park Run Challenge, held on Saturday, proved to be a big hit.

In total, 130 male and female recreational runners over the age of 12 were joined by 21 of Aspire Academy’s professional track-and-field student-athletes as they took part in the 2K, 4K and 6K races. It brought the total number of participants across both series of the Aspire Park Run Challenge — the first series was held on November 11 — to more than 280.

Commenting on the competitions, Alanoud Al-Mesnad, Acting Head of Events at AZF, said: “We had more than 130 participants take part in the first series, and today we have more than 150. We’re very pleased both with the large turnout, and to see so many recreational runners in Qatar getting involved.

Adding the 2K race to this series meant we had more young people take part. We also had a number of school and University students involved which added to the overall numbers. The Aspire Park Run Challenge series enables recreational athletes to take part alongside Aspire Academy’s student-athletes, providing an exciting opportunity for people keen to compete in such events alongside the professionals,” Al-Mesnad said.

She added that AZF and Aspire Academy are due to bring back the Aspire Park Run Challenge in March, April and December next year, given the huge popularity of the event amongst members of the local community.

 In the 6K race for men, Mehdi Mesani secured first place after finishing the race in 19 minutes and 30 seconds. Second place winner Salim Jabour finished the race in 20min, 57sec. Ambroise Aufrere finished third in 21min, 12sec.

 In the women’s category, Saba Aziz came first, finishing the race in 20 minutes and 31 seconds, followed by Soul Robertson (29min, 14sec) and Isobell Bushell (30min, 11sec).

 In the 4K race for men, Mubarak Mohammed came in first place after finishing the race in 13 minutes and 12 seconds. Mohammad Adam came in second place after finishing in 14min, 1sec, while Ayoub Merzougui finished third, a second behind.

 Meanwhile, Natalia and Sophie Wazny came in first and second place in the women’s category after winning in 16min, 16sec, and 17min, 46sec respectively. Charlie Robertson came in third place after finishing the race in 18min, 7sec.

In the 2K race for men, Ayman Shani won first place after finishing the race in six minutes and 56 seconds, followed by Waleed Bin Amar, who finished in 7min, 23sec. Badreldin Abdallah secured third place, after completing the race in 7min, 54sec.

 In the women’s category, Noureldine Elfangary won first place, finishing the race in seven minutes and 53 seconds, followed by Amelia Bennett who finished in 8min, 6sec. Rachel Strandvik finished in third place, completing the race in 8min,12sec.