Wellbeing and Running Events in Qatar: The Ooredoo Doha Marathon

Abstract

Research into participatory sport event experiences and wellbeing outcomes has increased, however, much of this work explores Western contexts. The purpose of the current research is to examine the wellbeing outcomes related to sport event participation in Qatar, as well as how these outcomes differ across nationalities and by gender. An online questionnaire was administered to participants of the 2017 Ooredoo Doha Marathon (ODM) (N = 239). Inductive coding of responses to the open-ended items uncovered activation of relationships, meaning and accomplishment. The qualitative data revealed that event participation allowed participants to strengthen personal connections with others, fostered a sense of direction and allowed for goal setting among participants, and enabled participants to experience achievement. Meanwhile, generalized linear modelling revealed Qatari nationals and expats as well as males and females differentially reported wellbeing based on PERMA domains.