Ultimate Racenight back with a bang

Jay Asser 09:49 27/10/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Last season was a huge success.

    Building on last year’s interest, the 263 entries for the first event on Thursday are the highest in Racenight history.

    As they did last season, Doha Athletics Club, under former Olympian Liz McColgan, will return with 31 athletes, including the impressive Catherine Palfreeman-Watt, who ranks No6 in the UK U-17 3,000m (9:48.66 seconds).

    Musa Khalfan blazed the competition in the men’s senior 100m last season with a record time of 10.39s and will have more challengers with 27 competitors expected tonight, including new Ultimate Athletics member Kamara Salem, who has a time of 10.60s to his name.

    Lisa Campbell, founder of Ultimate Athletics club and Ultimate Racenight, said ahead of the new season: “I think athletics is growing in popularity. Perhaps the Rio Olympics has inspired young people to give athletics a try, or adults to get back into it again.

    “Winning the Time Out Kids Award for Best Competitive Sports Organisation recently has been such a pleasure for us, because although we get some seriously talented athletes participating, we pride ourselves in being open to all. Anyone can compete in the Racenights and everyone scores points for their performance.

    “The atmosphere is lovely with the seniors supporting the juniors and the little friendly rivalry which builds up between the different schools and university athletes taking part all makes for a great night of athletics.”

    Interested athletes can still register through www.ultimateathleticsuae.com.

    Aside from the competition, there will also be a barbecue, a Saucony Tent with Spin-The-Wheel and prizes to win.

    The five other Racenights this season will take place on November 24, January 26, February 23, April 20 and May 18.

    Recommended