4 days ago
Endurance Tested, Spirit Unshaken
TDT | Manama
Trail Runners Take on Alpine Test
Backed by the Bahrain Olympic Committee, the Bahrain Ultra Trail Runners (BUTR) team is set to participate in the internationally renowned Mozart 100 by UTMB, a demanding mountain ultra-marathon held annually in Salzburg, Austria.
The trail running event is part of the global UTMB World Series, which is the official pathway to the prestigious UTMB Mont-Blanc, and this year's edition will welcome over 2,500 runners from around the world across various distance categories. The standout challenge will be the punishing 120km course with over 5,800 metres of vertical ascent.
Bahrain's Best on the Mountain Stage
The Bahrain team is composed of some of the Kingdom's most passionate endurance athletes, who specialise in long-distance mountain and trail running. The core team includes Hamad Mattar, Ahmed Kamal, Mohammed Zaman, Jassim Al Bastaki, and Amer Ibrahim — all competing in the Mozart 100. They are joined by Riyadh Rafie and Adam Jamal in the Mozart Ultra, while Saad Al Thabit and Hassanain Marhoon will also race in their respective categories.
These athletes form part of BUTR — a homegrown community of Bahraini runners united by a shared love for trail endurance sports. The group has proudly represented Bahrain in previous international ultra-trail events, including other races within the UTMB circuit.
A Route Known for Pain and Prestige
The course weaves through steep climbs, wooded trails, and rugged mountain paths that demand elite conditioning and precise pacing.
Organised by the UTMB World Series — the same group behind some of the world's toughest trail events in regions like the Andes, the Alps, and the Himalayas — the Mozart 100 is a critical stop for runners hoping to qualify for the UTMB Mont-Blanc in Chamonix, France, widely considered the pinnacle of ultra-trail racing.
Global Challenge, National Pride
For Bahraini runners, this race is a chance to show national pride and highlight Gulf athletes' endurance in a sport still finding its foothold locally. The team's participation is made possible through the Bahrain Olympic Committee's active support, reinforcing the Kingdom's ambition to feature more prominently across a broader range of international sporting disciplines.
