Visit Qatar, in partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO), celebrated 50 days to go until the 2026 Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, with the local triathlon community coming together this week for the first of two free 5km community runs in Lusail.
Taking place from December 10–12 in Lusail, the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final marks the culmination of the 2026 T100 Triathlon World Tour, where the women's and men's professional fields come together to decide the season's world championship titles. Switzerland's Julie Derron and New Zealand's Hayden Wilde currently lead the women's and men's T100 Race to Qatar standings.
Last year's inaugural edition sold out, with more than 5,000 amateurs taking part across three days. Registration for this year's amateur races is proving very popular, so people are encouraged to sign up now at https://t100triathlon.com/
Sam Renouf, CEO of the PTO, said: "Lusail is where this year's T100 World Champions will be crowned, but the professional race is only part of the story. Whether it's a first Sprint, a relay with friends or the full 100km, there's a race for everyone, and the community runs are a great way for anyone thinking about signing up to meet the people they could be racing alongside in December."
Hosted by Qatar T100 Community Captain Dani Sposi, the first run took place in Lusail earlier this week, with the second scheduled for Wednesday, November 11. Runners will meet at 17:45 for a warm-up before splitting into pace groups for an 18:00 start. The run is free, with places capped at 50 and registration required at https://forms.gle/
Everyone who takes part goes into a prize draw for one of two Kick Off Run tickets, and the plan is for the route to follow part of the 100km run course, giving runners a taste of race day.
Sposi said: "Triathlon is more than a sport for me. It's about challenging myself, inspiring others and being part of an amazing community that supports and grows together."
Among those counting down to December is Qatari triathlete Alia Al-Hamad, who will be back on the start line in Lusail.
"In 2022, I discovered triathlon," she said. "It was something completely new to me, and since I've always loved challenging myself, I felt drawn to give it a try. However, I had one major obstacle: I didn't know how to swim, and I was afraid of deep water and swimming in open water. So, before I could even begin my triathlon journey, I had to overcome that fear and learn how to swim."
She took her first steps in the sport in 2023 and has since represented Qatar as the country's first ever female triathlete. Last December she lined up at the first Qatar T100.
"When I think about completing a 2,000m swim, especially considering my fear of open water and how long it took me to learn how to swim, it feels like an incredible achievement," she said. "The experience showed me that I'm capable of much more than I sometimes give myself credit for."
Her message to anyone thinking about doing their first triathlon: "Sometimes, we underestimate what we're capable of simply because we've never tried it before. You don't have to be good at everything from the beginning; you just have to be willing to start, learn, and keep going."
The three-day programme opens on Thursday, December 10 with the 1km and 5km Kick Off Run on Lusail Boulevard, starting at 17:45 and 18:30. Friday, December 11 brings the Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship Final and the Sprint triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run). The open 100km (2km swim in the Arabian Gulf, 80km bike, 18km run) and the T100 Age-Group World Championships follow on Saturday, December 12. Relay options are available across both triathlon distances for the first time.
Now in its second edition and held in partnership with World Triathlon, the T100 Age-Group World Championships give qualified amateurs the chance to race in their nation's colours for a world title. Last year's inaugural championships drew more than 250 athletes from 45 countries across 13 age groups.
The event further strengthens Qatar's position as a leading destination for international sporting events, adding another world-class competition to the country's sporting calendar.