Visit Qatar and the Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla) have opened registration for the second edition of the Samla International Race, scheduled for January 23, 2027, between Sealine and Khor Al Adaid.

The event is open to male and female participants from around the world and forms part of a three-year strategic partnership between Visit Qatar and Samla covering 2027 to 2029.

The 100-kilometre endurance race comprises four disciplines: swimming, running, off-road cycling and kayaking. Competitors will begin with a 3-kilometre swim, followed by a 21-kilometre run and a 22-kilometre off-road cycling stage.

They will then complete a 4-kilometre kayaking challenge, another 22-kilometre cycling stage and a final 28-kilometre run.

Ahmad Al-Binali, Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, said: "We are delighted to announce a long-term strategic partnership between Visit Qatar and the Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla), spanning three years from 2027 to 2029. The partnership aims to continue developing the Samla International Race and strengthen its presence on the international sporting stage, supporting Qatar's position as a global destination for sports tourism and major events. The Samla International Race exemplifies the integration of sport and tourism, with the visitor experience extending beyond the race itself to discovering the wide range of experiences and events Qatar has to offer".

Azzam Al-Mannai, President of Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla) said: “We are delighted to launch the Samla International Race 2027 in partnership with Visit Qatar and to mark this important milestone by signing a three-year strategic partnership agreement beginning in 2027. This partnership represents an important step in our vision to develop the Samla International Race into an integrated sports and tourism platform combining endurance, adventure, and competition while showcasing Qatar’s unique natural landscapes and tourism offerings to athletes and audiences from around the world. We greatly value the support and confidence of Visit Qatar and look forward to building, through this partnership, a sustainable international event that strengthens Qatar’s position as a leading destination for sports and tourism, in line with our shared vision and ambitions for the years ahead”.

The organisers have allocated a total prize pool of $600,000 across the men's and women's categories.

First-place finishers will each receive $100,000, while second-place winners will be awarded $60,000 and third-place winners $40,000.

Participants finishing between fourth and tenth place will receive prizes ranging from $20,000 to $8,000, depending on their ranking.

The race is designed to test competitors' endurance, physical fitness and technical skills across varied terrain and sporting disciplines.

The second edition builds on the event's international participation, with the organisers seeking to attract competitors from different countries to challenge themselves in one of the region's demanding endurance competitions. -TradeArabia News Service