Bahrain’s first Spartan Race witnesses 3,000 contenders

Manama : The seven-km XDubai Spartan Race at the Bahrain International Endurance Village witnessed the participation of 3,000 local and international contenders. It included several sports such as running, climbing, steeplechase and other activities that require high physical endurance.

Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the race, which was organised for the first time in the Kingdom of Bahrain in coordination with Nasser Bin Hamad Foundation (NBHF).

“The Spartan Race is considered a modern sport and is newly entering the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said Shaikh Nasser, “It’s a set of challenging games that require contenders to distribute their energy and concentration on the different stages of the race before they could reach the finishing point.”

Shaikh Nasser pointed out that the participation of a large number of local and international contestants predicts a bright future of endurance sports in the Kingdom such as the Spartan race, Ironman and triathlon sports.

He disclosed that he didn’t participate in the race due to his involvement in several events abroad that he has been preparing for.

Shaikh Nasser added that many programmes are set to increase the momentum of hosting such sports in Bahrain, with the focus of placing the Kingdom as a hub for organising different international sports events and promote the culture of sports among the Bahraini youth.

The winners of the race were honoured by Shaikh Nasser with Rashid Al Qubaisi from the UAE (43.31 minutes) coming in first, followed by Emirati Emirati Lahajj Abdulkarim (43.37) in the second place and Bahraini Mohammed Al Qaisi (43.38) third, while American Elaine Moore (58.52) won the women’s category.

The organising committee expressed its gratitude to Shaikh Nasser for supporting the race, adding that his patronage had motivated the Bahraini youth to participate and take the challenge.