On your mark, get set, GO!

Doha, Qatar (March 12, 2012)
Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is giving the community the fantastic opportunity to race upthe staircase of the newly-opened TheTORCH Doha Hotelin the inaugural TORCH Staircase Run.

Thisnever-before-seen event in Qatarwill take place on Saturday, 31st March. Entrants will start at the base of the tower andmake their way up the stairs to the finish line located on the 51st floor.

"Aspire Zone Foundationis excited to be hosting the firstoccurrence of theTORCH Staircase Run," said Aspire LOGISTICS Director General Abdulaziz Al Mahmoud.

"Staircase running is hugely popular around the world and it is only fitting that The TORCH Doha Hotel will take its place alongside other iconic landmarks around the worldin hosting this type of event."

Many other important buildings around the world host similar annual events including the Empire State Building in New York and the Berlin Sky Run in Germany.

The challenging route consists of a total of 1304steps as runners will have to make their way up to the top of the 300m tower. As the event is physically demanding,AZF is recommending that participants should only enter if they have undergone a certain amount of training.

The highly anticipated racewill take place the day after the 5th edition of the Aspire Zone Winter Aquathon Series - the official concluding event. The TORCH Staircase Run further emphasizes Aspire Zone as the home ofcommunity sport activities in Qatar and cements the organization's dedication to promote health and discourage inactive lifestyle, eventually building healthy communities and subsequently healthier nations.

The Torch Doha General Manager, Mr. Gerhard Foltin says: "We recently organised a "Tower Run / Walk" for our own staff to celebrate Qatar's National Sports Day. Many of the participants reached the top 51st floor of The Torch and received certificates for their performances. It was like a warm-up for the Aspire Zone race-up and was great to see so many participating which means people got excited about the initiative."

"I myself took the challenge of the Run / Walk as I had to set the pace for my staff. Nationality or age has no meaning when it comes to sports, and by managing to complete this mammoth task and reach on foot the 51st floor of The Torch, I proved my point. It was definitely a one-of-a-kind fitness exercise which increased excitement and staff morale levels," he added.

TheTorch Staircase Run is being organized in partnership between Aspire LOGISTICS and The TORCH Doha Hotel.

The upcoming event is open to people 18 years of age and over and is strictly limited to a fixed number of entrants. Entry for the event costs QR50 and registration can be made online via the Aspire Zone website: http://www.aspirezone.qa/torchstaircaserun.

--ENDS--

For more information:
Philippa Innes
Brown Lloyd James
Mobile: 6664 8098
philippai@brownlloydjames.com

© Press Release 2012