Doha: The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum is hosting what will become an annual feature of its family-focused programming – the Junior Obstacle Race Challenge.
This is in line with the museum’s ambition for Qatar to become more physically active and the nation’s growing enthusiasm and demand for varied sporting activities, the Challenge was set up to encourage physical activity by nurturing children’s natural desire for play.
The COVID-19 pandemic and demands of modern living have transformed what childhood looks like in the 21st century. An average child in Qatar spends a significant portion of their day on sedentary digital activities. The Race seeks to harness children’s natural curiosity and sense of adventure with a challenging obstacle course that will keep them engaged, entertained and active. It pushes children to scale new heights and conquer a diverse course, while having fun and getting active.
In addition to spending some much-needed time outdoors, the kinetic aspects of navigating an obstacle course help children develop and enhance strength and balance. Outdoor obstacle courses like the Junior Obstacle Race Challenge are a great way for kids to explore their physical literacy.
The track, which varies from half a mile to two miles depending on the age of the participants.
It features a dozen child-friendly obstacles, coming to a delightfully muddy finish with the Mud Run. Starting things off on the Low Wall, participants will flex their upper body strength to get to the other side and practice their balance on the Steppingstone station. Crawling through Tunnels is next to develop gross motor skills, improve spatial awareness, and engage in imaginative play. Balance is back in focus on Balance Beams of varied height.
The Net Crawl will then challenge participants’ strength and coordination as they drop to the ground and crawl quickly under the net to reach the other side. Quick footwork will be in demand to master the two following stations of accurately speeding through Speed Tire Hurdles and climbing up and down A-Frames.
Getting high off the ground on the Apex Ladder and Climbing Obstacles will get participants through to the best part of the course – the Mud Run. Dodging Panels might help shake off some of the cakey goodness, but it’s best to have towels at the ready when the course comes to an end.
The event will take place at Aspire Park near Burgeri Restaurant. The course is open from April 8 to May 2, from 7pm to 11pm during Ramadan; and from May 3 to 7, from 2pm to 11pm during Eid al-Fitr.
The race will be held in two tranches on April 15 and May 6, from 7pm to 11pm. Participants aged 4 to 16 years old can compete as a Junior.
