For the first time, Qatar is hosting the T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, to be held between December 10th and December 13th, 2025. The event marks a new beginning for the country’s athletics, as Lusail will host the triathlon finals for the next five years. The final itself features 48 pro athletes who qualified through qualifying races. But this is actually a multisport festival weekend featuring a 100 km triathlon, a duathlon, a sprint triathlon, and various biking and running events, with hundreds of amateur racers participating. 

We spoke to one of the amateurs taking part in a T100 Kick-Off Run, as we wondered how someone who spends 40 hours a week in the office and has a lot on his plate could even have time to take on such a challenge. Well, Oualid Bakkas, Content & PR Lead at QIC Digital Hub, is telling us all about it!

So what made you sign up for the T100 Kick-Off Run?

I was first planning to take part in the T100 Sprint Triathlon, but due to some gear issues and a lack of time for a training plan, I had to drop this idea. Yet, I still wanted to be part of this big event somehow, and this is how I ended up signing up for the Qatar T100 Kick-off Run. 

I can get the feeling of this major sporting event with the least possible preparation and effort since I didn’t have to follow a specific training plan. The other reason I joined is that I consider this relatively short distance part of my preparations for bigger events, such as the Doha Marathon in January 2026.

Have you done any other major amateur sports events, or is this your first one?

I did. Since joining the QIC Running Club in the summer of 2023, I have taken part in a series of amateur running events, including the Doha Marathon in both 2024 and 2025, and the Qatar Olympic Committee’s Half Marathon in 2025, in addition to other middle-distance races every once in a while. I have also taken part in my first-ever cycling race this year, which was The Aamal Ride, an annual 40 km community cycling event organized in partnership with Qatar Cyclists Club.

How do you prepare for something like this — what’s your training like?

As a member of the QIC Running Club, we already have a training schedule with a coach, and each member has their own program depending on their level and objective. 

Personally, I have four running workouts per week, including a long run at the end of each week. Besides that, I do regular gym training and upper-body workouts.

Do you eat before the race? Are there any race-day routines you stick to? 

The reality is that I eat nothing. I usually train early in the morning on an empty stomach, and I try to keep this practice even on race days. I do, however, drink yerba mate or coffee for some caffeine, and I take energy gels for training sessions that last longer than 60 minutes.

Having said that, I always make sure that the day before the race, I have a proper dinner with good amounts of vegetables, sources of protein, and a small portion of fruit, so that the next morning I wake up with enough energy reserves for the race. If the race is in the evening, I still try to avoid eating anything for about five hours before the start.

Will you be watching the main event? 

I will definitely be watching the main races. I am mostly looking forward to seeing underdogs make surprises at the race, and perhaps seeing some new good timings from local athletes.

You can watch Oualid’s kick-off race on December 10. The Qatar T100 Triathlon World Championship events are held throughout Lusail from December 10 to December 13th, with final races occurring on the 12th.