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24 January 2026
Samla International is a non-stop 100 KM point-to-point endurance challenge that will see contestants swim, cycle, run and kayak within a strict 12-hour cut-off period. With tougher challenges and record participation expected, it’s set to push limits and highlight Qatar’s global sporting spirit. From desert terrains to coastal waters, Samla celebrates the rugged beauty of Qatar’s landscape and the resilience of its people.
Means strength and perseverance in the face of hardship
The first Samla race took place
The competition offers prizes worth nearly USD 300,000
Valentí Sanjuan is now part of the Samla story — ultra-athlete, storyteller, and explorer at heart. He’s faced volcanoes, deserts and the world’s toughest races. With Samla, his next adventure begins in Qatar.
Samla is not for the faint-hearted. It demands exceptional self-discipline, determination and resilience. Participants will battle nature, terrain and time in a test that honours the very meaning of its name – a word rooted in Qatari heritage, symbolising endurance, strength and perseverance.
Set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of southern Qatar’s sweeping sand dunes, the course offers both beauty and brutality in equal measure. The race includes 2 KM of swimming, 49 KM running, 44 KM cycling and 4 KM kayaking. In both the male and female categories, the winners will get USD 30,000, the runners-up USD 20,000 and the third place USD 15,000.
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