Bahraini athlete Ahmed Almutawa proudly showcased the kingdom’s sporting prowess as he competed in his first ultramarathon in Qatar.
The 26-year-old business development executive secured an impressive 10th place overall in the gruelling 90km Qatar East-to-West Ultramarathon – a challenging race that stretches from Doha to Dukhan – on December 5.
“I feel extremely proud to have run my first ultramarathon,” he told the GDN.
“The race was a true challenge that I powered through and overcame, finishing with an official time of 8.21.58 and securing 10th place overall among 150 participants.”
Abdelaziz Ahnida claimed first place in the event with a time of 6:30:43, followed by Rachid Boudalla in second at 6:36:38, and Murat Kaya in third with 7:03:12.
An ultramarathon is any race longer than the traditional marathon distance of 42.195km, often held on trails, mountains, deserts or rugged terrain, adding difficulty through elevation and varied conditions.
Mr Almutawa admitted the final stretch was the toughest.
“The last 30km were very difficult,” he said, citing rising heat and the relentless sun. “During the run I suffered from ankle pain, a stiff back and extremely tired legs, but you just have to push through and make it to the finish line.”
His journey as a runner began in 2019 as a simple family activity, but it soon became a passion. Today, he trains daily and runs 160km a week.
The Qatar race route begins along the iconic Doha Corniche, a scenic waterfront promenade with views of the bay and city skyline.
As runners head west from Doha, the route traverses long stretches of open road across the country’s desert plains and wide open landscapes. It finishes at Dukhan Beach on the west coast, where runners are rewarded with views of the shoreline.
Mr Almutawa said crossing the finish line brought an overwhelming sense of relief and pride.
“I was happy to finally relax. The accomplishment does not fully hit you until you settle down and realise you just ran 90km,” he said.
He added that after some rest and food, the fatigue eased and the achievement ‘truly sank in’.
He expressed pride in representing Bahrain on the regional stage and said he was looking to challenge himself further.
“Whenever I participate in any event, it is an honour to raise the national flag. The kingdom has so many talented individuals, and we always strive to show the best our country has to offer.”
This wasn’t Mr Almutawa’s first major challenge. Last year, to mark Bahrain’s 53rd National Day, he ran an entire lap of the kingdom – from Diyar Muharraq to Durrat Al Bahrain and back – completing the 135km journey in just under 18 hours.
Mr Almutawa has also competed in other marathons including the Bahrain Marathon in February, Paris Marathon in April and Yokohama Marathon in Japan in November 2024.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))