Nasser Hakami Set New Gulf Record at HOKA UTMB Race
Saudi athlete Nasser Hakami completed the 176-km mountain race in 34 hours and 35 minutes.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Running
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Saudi runner Nasser Hakami finished the 176-km HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc race with a record-setting time for the Gulf region of 34 hours and 35 minutes. This marks his fourth consecutive year completing the challenging mountain course.
Why it matters
By consistently competing in the event, Hakami aims to elevate the profile of mountain endurance sports in Saudi Arabia and represent the Kingdom on an international stage.
The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc race covers 176 km of terrain across France, Italy, and Switzerland. The annual event features approximately 10,000 participants navigating difficult mountain elevations.
The players
Nasser Hakami
He is a Saudi Arabian endurance athlete who represents his country in international mountain racing competitions.
The details
Hakami navigated the rugged mountain terrain by managing both the physical intensity of steep climbs and the psychological demands of the race. His effort required consistent performance through variable weather conditions over the course of more than a day of continuous activity.
Timeline
Hakami completed the 176-km race in 34 hours and 35 minutes.
The athlete has finished the event for four consecutive years.
Season Trajectory
Hakami's record-setting pace highlights the growing competitiveness of Middle Eastern athletes within the global ultra-trail running community. His success signals a shift toward higher participation levels from the region in prestigious mountain endurance circuits.
Hakami's sub-35-hour finish secures his standing in the ultra-running circuit and establishes a new performance standard for Gulf athletes. The result confirms his status as a recurring competitor in this specific 176-km mountain discipline.
The takeaway
The performance underscores how consistent training over four consecutive years can lead to record-breaking results in ultra-endurance sports. Aspiring endurance runners can look to Hakami's multi-year progression as a model for sustained improvement in high-altitude mountain racing.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Arab News.
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