Fastest Known Time – Qatar Crossing
Runner: EVREN OZKA
Route: Cross-Qatar run (approx. 192 km)
Start Location: AL RUWAIS
Finish Location: ABU SAMRA BOARDER
Date: 13.11.25
Start Time: 06:00 AM
Finish Time: 08:30 AM (next day)
Total Elapsed Time: ~26 hours 30 minutes
Support Type: Supported
Overview
This attempt was to run across the country of Qatar in a continuous single effort, covering approximately 192 km on foot. The route included mainly roads and open highway stretches. Forward progress was strictly on foot with no mechanical assistance.
I was fully supported by a crew for safety, pacing rotation, nutrition, hydration, and logistics. In the final 10 kilometers, I was joined and paced by the Salwa Striders, a local running community who accompanied me through to the finish. I was also supported by Ahmed Al-Shahrani who holds the current record for the fastest crossing of Qatar (same route) in a wheelchair.
I ran this as part of a challenge across 3 countries. Less than 24 hours after finishing this one, I stated to Run in Bahrain where I covered 67km across the entire country (FKT also submitted). The final leg of the challenge starts on the 25th in the UAE where I will be running 630km approx.
Conditions
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Weather: Typical Gulf desert climate; hot daytime temperatures, cooler night conditions, low shade exposure, fluctuating wind.
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Terrain: Road shoulders, paved highways.
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Safety measures: Reflective gear, vehicle hazard lighting, hydration-cooling strategy, night-visibility support.
Support Details
This was a supported run. I received food, beverages, electrolytes, pacing assistance, and vehicle-based safety/logistics. Supplies were not self-carried and were accessed throughout the run. No vehicle was used for forward movement.
In the final 10 km, the Salwa Striders provided on-foot pacing and motivation to ensure safe and continuous forward progress to the finish point.
imeline / Checkpoints
TimeDistanceNutrition / Notes
06:00 (Start)0 kmOfficial start
6:47 - 8 km
7:54 16 km
8:46 30 km
09:3437–38 km
10:2644.5 km
11:2752 km
12:3261 km
13:4269 km
14:5577.5 km
15:5784.5 km
16:3589.7 km
17:1695.3 km
18:24102.66 km
19:22109.85 km
20:17116.86 kmOngoing progress
21:20124.26 km
22:19129.66 km—
23:09135.13 km—
23:57140.25 km—
01:07147.12 km—
02:01152.25 km—
03:15158.75 km—
04:44167.8 km—
05:20172 km—
06:10167.67 km(
08:30 (Finish)192 kmOfficial completion
Verification Materials
To be submitted with final FKT package:
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GPS file garmin
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Photos
Final Statement
This Qatar crossing attempt was completed without interruption and on foot only, with full crew support for nutrition, hydration, pacing, roadside safety, and logistics. The final section was accompanied by the Salwa Striders running group. All details, timings, and distances are reported accurately and in good faith for the purpose of FKT verification.