Pierre Daniel has set to do what most people consider impossible—do a complete run around Qatar in only seven days.
What makes the task more daunting is that Daniel will cover the 439-km route carrying his own rations and water. And if needed, he has to take some from his surroundings, if there are nay, of course.
Journey is called Alone: A run Around Qatar and is sponsored by Katara, Skechers, Xtork, Pro-TV, MBM Transport, Garmin, as well as Aspire Zone where Daniel works as a Brand and Marketing Lead. If he is successful, Daniel will get a chance to become a Guinness World Record holder, but most especially, he can inspire people as a symbol of human endurance.
In spite of the daunting task ahead, Daniel is confident he can live up to the challenge. At a young age, the Frenchman revealed that he was active. Even playing in the Premier League as a goalkeeper for the Les Ducs D’Anger Elite Team. In the recent years, however, he has changed his lifestyle to make way for better exercises and nutrition.
He also finished sixth in the Aspire 50km Ultra Marathon race, completed several Ironman races. He is also a member of the Qatar-based Carbon Wheels Cycling. However, it was his completion of the World’s Toughest Footrace in April 2017 which gave him the confidence to decide to go around Qatar. Thousands of runners participated in the race. Much to his surprise, the Frenchman was able to crack the top quarter of participants.
Pierre compares the race to his task to conquer Qatar, only this time there won’t be a team to support him throughout the task.
How did Daniel prepare for the task ahead? Well, it’s already to his advantage that he has lived and worked in Qatar for the last 10 years. He is familiar, and has even walked, to certain areas like Doha to Dukhan and Doha to Dakhira. For other places he’s not familiar with, Daniel plans to go old school—use maps and compass—rather than utilize GPS. But despite being a certified physical instructor and coach, the Frenchman has what he calls a ‘fitness guru’ who trained him pre-Alone run.
Originally, the ruin was scheduled for December when the weather was its coolest. But Daniel’s team was yet to perfect an online interface which the public could use to track his progress. The interface will also showcase the natural beauty of the places Daniel will be going to. He admitted that the run will be more challenging now that it has been scheduled this February, but he is ready.
Katara Cultural Village will be Pierre’s starting point for Day 1. The route ends in Dhakira Port. The succeeding days will be as follows: Dhakira Port to Al Ruwais, Al Ruwais to Zekreet, Zekreet to Um Bab, Um Bab to Salwa, Salwa to Sealine and on Day 7, Sealine to Katara. He is expected to finish at around 10:30 am on February 24.
