{
  "id": 14042577,
  "title": "Visit Qatar, Qatar Challenge Racing Club Partner to launch Samla International Race",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/visit-qatar-qatar-challenge-racing-club-partner-to-launch-samla",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T20:02:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/12/10/2026/visit-qatar-qatar-challenge-racing-club-partner-to-launch-samla-international-race"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Doha is set to host the second edition of the Samla International Race, a three-year strategic partnership between Visit Qatar and the Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla) from 2027 to 2029. Registration is now open to male and female participants worldwide. The race will be held on January 23, 2027, between Sealine and Khor Al Adaid, showcasing Qatar's toughest endurance challenges.\n\nParticipants will face four endurance tests: swimming, off-road cycling, running, and kayaking. The 100-kilometer race begins with a 3-kilometer swim, followed by a 21-kilometer run, and concludes with a 28-kilometer run. In between, competitors will tackle a 22-kilometer off-road cycling stage and a 4-kilometer kayaking challenge.\n\nAhmad Al Binali, Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, expressed delight at the partnership, stating that it aims to strengthen Qatar's position as a global destination for sports tourism. Azzam Abdulaziz Al Mannai, President of Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla), echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the potential of this partnership to develop the race into an integrated sports and tourism platform.\n\nThe race will offer a total prize pool of USD 600,000, with the first-place winner receiving USD 100,000. The remaining prizes, ranging from USD 8,000 to USD 60,000, are awarded to competitors placing fourth through tenth. This generous prize structure encourages participants to excel in what is considered one of the most challenging races in the region.\n\nBy hosting the Samla International Race, Qatar reinforces its commitment to becoming a leading destination for sports and tourism, aligning with the shared vision and ambitions for the future.",
  "summary": "<p>Doha: Visit Qatar, in partnership with the Qatar Challenge Racing Club (Samla), has announced the launch of the second edition of the Samla International Race, with registration now open to male and female participants from around the world. This collaboration forms part of a strategic partnership between the two parties spanning three years, from 2027 to 2029.</p> <p>Set to take place on Jan.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}