Qtel 'Marathon' farce....

DohaBrit2011
By DohaBrit2011

How do people organizing events in Qatar, fail time and time again???! I've learnt today that there's a Qtel 'Marathon' (1/2 Marathon,10km plus others) on 26th January! With Qatar crying out for these events, how does nobody know this is happening??! They announce it over the Christmas period for a start....but how about actually actively marketing it?! It's so frustrating. I found out from reading an obscure article about who they were going to give the number 001 bib to (an expat amputee which is great). However, they will have a terrible attendance due to a lack of organisation and notice.
Events should be run by professional organizers if people want the events to succeed. Hopefully they will try again next year and do it properly!!!! (They have 64 runners on their FB page....way to go)

By happygolucky• 9 Jan 2013 13:20
happygolucky

blisteringbarna......just remembered the last year's marathon...:)

By anonymous• 9 Jan 2013 11:38
anonymous

At the half way point you have to call 111. If you managed to get through in less than 10 mins holding time, then you can miss the next 5km and go straight to the finishing line.

However if you die while you are on hold to QTel they will pay for your body to be repatriated to your home country

By blisteringbarnacles2007• 9 Jan 2013 10:28
blisteringbarnacles2007

are they giving out any freebies?

By britexpat• 9 Jan 2013 10:07
britexpat

What people fail to understand is that they are not interested in too many people participating or the winners etc.

All they want to show is that a Marathon was held in Doha with QTEL as the sponsor. The key players will get their pictures in the papers. They'll pat each other on the back, get a bonus at the end of the year and life will go on..

By azilana7037• 9 Jan 2013 10:00
azilana7037

No wonder :)

By blisteringbarnacles2007• 9 Jan 2013 09:52
blisteringbarnacles2007

lol HGL... you seem to be an experienced Marathoner...

By happygolucky• 8 Jan 2013 17:16
happygolucky

Note that some may join just before the finish line at the last moment and will be declared winners...:)

By DohaBrit2011• 8 Jan 2013 16:11
DohaBrit2011

Their FB page says the route will be down the Corniche from the MIA....makes sense. Also, will be expanded to a Marathon in 2014.

By turbohampster• 8 Jan 2013 15:14
Rating: 3/5
turbohampster

Its only a half marathon & a 10k race and according to website they still haven't finalised the route or location :-0

Bit of a joke really as you need a couple of months to prepare for a half marathon

By anonymous• 8 Jan 2013 11:46
anonymous

Well for those who don't want to run you can follow the course in your Land Crusier to get your completion certificate.

By Dean Roberts• 8 Jan 2013 11:13
Dean Roberts

that's a real shame - I would have been up for a marathon.

What's the route (I can't get FB here)

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