New Gulf region obstacle course racing brand Arabian Warrior unveils inaugural season schedule

DUBAI: A new Middle-Eastern obstacle course racing brand, Arabian Warrior, has announced the schedule for its inaugural season in the Gulf region.
The series will include eight events, beginning in the UAE with the opening race in Dubai on Oct. 26, before moving to Saudi Arabia for races in Dammam and Jeddah. The action then returns to the UAE, with Fujairah hosting first event of 2025, followed by races in Riyadh, Ras Al-Khaimah and Qatari capital Doha.
Competitors at these events will have the opportunity to qualify for a season-ending championship. Full details will be announced soon, organizers said.
The stated aim of Arabian Warrior is to establish a global OCR portfolio based in the Middle East.
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Sharqi, a spokesperson for the brand, said: “This is a pivotal day for OCR in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region as we launch an exciting, forward-thinking brand which will make a significant impact during its opening season and beyond.
“As a fast-growing sport, OCR events in the region have attracted thousands of competitors in recent years. At Arabian Warrior, we now want to take the fantastic work which has already been produced onto the next level.
“Make no mistake, this is a groundbreaking moment for the sport as we add eight major events to what is already an action-packed calendar, strengthening the region’s position as a global sporting destination.”
Arabian Warrior said it aims to be a fully inclusive brand, and will offer 5km, 10km, 15km, 20km, 50km events and a 1.6k race for children that feature Arab-themed obstacles of varying difficulty levels to ensure people of all levels of skill and fitness have the opportunity to participate.
Those who simply want to come along and take on the challenge can participate in open heats, while those with a more competitive streak can compete in heats for their age group in which the runs will be timed and winners honored. There will also be an elite category in which some of the world’s top OCR athletes will go head-to-head.
The winners in the competitive events at each location will be invited to compete in the season-ending championship where the winners will be crowned the ultimate 2024-25 Arabian Warriors. Organizers said significant prize funds will be announced soon.
Each event will also include a fan village featuring entertainment and a selection of food and beverage outlets.