The Kuwait Amateur Athletic Federation announced that Mohammad Almatar recorded the national best time in the 100km ultramarathon at the world championships held earlier this month. Almatar competed in the event won by American Charles Lawrence, who crossed the line in 6 hours 9 minutes 25 seconds according to results published by the International Association of Ultrarunners. The federation described the performance as a breakthrough that eclipses all prior Kuwaiti marks at the distance.
Official statistics maintained by the Deutsche Ultramarathon-Vereinigung show Almatar finished a 90km international race in Qatar in 8 hours 53 minutes 24 seconds in December 2024, placing 17th overall in a field that included elite competitors from multiple nations. That outing built on his preparation for the longer world championship distance, where the Kuwaiti athlete faced sustained high-level competition across more than six hours of continuous effort. The International Association of Ultrarunners has ratified 100km as one of its core world championship events since launching the series in 1987.
World Athletics data lists the current global 100km record at 6 hours 5 minutes 35 seconds, set by Lithuania’s Aleksandr Sorokin in Vilnius in May 2023. The Kuwait Amateur Athletic Federation indicated that Almatar’s mark at the 2026 championships will be lodged for formal recognition as the domestic standard, filling a previous gap in the country’s ultra-distance record book. The federation has overseen national athletics records for decades and uses such benchmarks to track progress in non-traditional events.
The IAU world championships typically occur every two years and feature both individual and team competitions based on the top three finishers per nation. Japan has hosted the event on several occasions, while the 2026 edition drew athletes from more than 30 countries to contest the demanding road-based course. Almatar’s participation forms part of a broader expansion of ultra-running interest across Gulf states, where national federations have increased support for endurance disciplines.
Kuwait’s overall athletics records, as compiled by the federation and cross-referenced on World Athletics platforms, include a men’s marathon best of 2 hours 19 minutes 17 seconds set by Abdul Mohsen Al-Ali in 2022. Ultra events require separate logistical considerations, including aid stations and extended medical oversight, which the federation has worked to align with IAU standards. Almatar’s result is expected to inspire additional athletes to target similar distances in future seasons.
Federation officials stated that the achievement highlights improving depth in Kuwaiti distance running following targeted training initiatives. The body plans to integrate the performance into its annual review of national progress across road and ultra events. Almatar is scheduled to return to domestic competition later this year as preparation continues for the next IAU championship cycle.
