Al Ghariya Resort was the venue of the second event in the Qatar National Triathlon Series this Saturday, 15^th of December. The sprint triathlon distance with750 meters of superb swimming conditions, 20 km of flat but windy cycling leg and always difficult 5 km run for the finals took a lot of energy from 160 participants.

The open man race was almost exact copy of the first event (Katara Triathlon) which saw Spaniard Aday Alvarez taking the early lead in swim and bike, only to lose the advantage on the run, where young prospect Ethan Bennett (GB), stole the show in final two kilometres of the run and made back to back wins. Third place was won by Irish Bernard McCullagh. All Tri Club Doha. Bennet has maximum number of points from the two events, with a minimum lead in front of Alvarez.

Other categories also saw more or less same athletes on the top places. Open women’s race was won by Isora Sosa Caballero (SPA), followed by Toni Snoxel (RSA) and Daniela Sposi (GB), both Tri Club Doha. The same order is also in the Series standings.

Lee Bennett, (GB) (Tri Club Doha), already won the Al Ghariya Triathlon last year, only to repeat the win in Veteran Men category. In second place finished Enzo Fascinato (ARG) (Los Gauchos) and in third Christophe Leuranguer (FRA) (Tri Club Doha). Bennet (senior) has also maximum number of points for the two events and is holding firmly for the lead.

Fastest women on the course and winner of Women Veteran category was Finish athlete Pia Sundstedt, in front of Julie Melville (GB) (Rasen Adventure Shop) and Andrea Stadler (ECU) (Tri Club Doha). Sundstedt also has a substantial lead in the Series.

Mubarak Alajji was the fastest among Qatari Nationals, followed by Abdulla Shaheen Alkaabi and Abdulrahman Aljaber. With Ebrahim Al Romaihi missing the race this time, Alajji took over the lead in the National Tri Series.

Qatari veteran race was won by Prof Nasser Al Mohannadi in front of Ali Al Najdi (all athletes are members of Qtri club). In third place came Essa Al Kuwari. Al Mohannadi is leading in the Series standings.

Fatma Issa was the best Qatari women and Caroline Van Aatrijk (Tri Club Doha) best Qatari veteran women.

President of Qatar Cycling and Triathlon Federation Dr Mohammed Al Kuwari and Professor Nasser Al Mohannadi, QCTF Board Member, Vice President for Triathlon and Executive Director of Qatar National Triathlon Series both participated in the race: “This was the second event in the Series of five which are directly supported by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani. We highly appreciate this support which enables us to lay the foundations in developing the sport inside Qatar as well as representing Qatar internationally. We are very happy with the growth of numbers of locals and expats taking up Triathlon as their sport and way of life. We are looking forward to seeing even more participants in the other three races which will happen in MIA park (Feb 8), Lusail (Mar 22) and The Pearl Qatar (April 19).”

All the results and the Points standings can be found on the official website of the Series: www.qtriseries.com

The Al Ghariya Triathlon was organized by Qatar Triathlon Federation and supported by Qatar Olympic Committee, Ashghal, QNB, Royal Air Maroc, GMC, Rayyan Water, Rassen Adventure Shop, Carbon Wheels Bike Shop and venue provider Al Ghariya Resort.

Next event in the Qatar National Triathlon Series will be the iconic Doha Triathlon on 8^th of February in MIA park.  www.dohatriathlon.com