Georgetown SFS-Q Walks and Runs Its Way to Fitness on Sports Day

Georgetown’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service in Qatar (SFS-Q) will mark their second National Sports Day with an early hour devoted to the most universally well-known cardio exercises: walking and running. Meeting at Qatar’s iconic Museum of Islamic Art at 8am, groups of motivated students, faculty and staff will don coordinating Sports Day t-shirts to be distributed on site, and will begin an hour long walk or run along the bustling corniche waterfront.

The participants will have the option of joining three levels of intensity for the exercises. Personal trainer Becky Cooper will lead fitness veterans on an hour long jog. Those wanting to participate at a less demanding intensity can join Mary Bryan, SFS-Q Health & Wellness Officer, for an invigorating power walk. And finally, Jill McSorley, SFS-Q Auxiliary Services Manager, will provide exercise newbies the option of an excellent beginner’s approach to fitness with an easy stroll. Organizers paid special care in ensuring that everyone, including those with special needs, such as wheelchair accessibility, would be welcome at the event.

Only in its second year, the fledgling holiday held on the second Tuesday of every February has resulted in an explosive response of creative sporting events and activities throughout the private and public sector in Qatar. Georgetown’s Mary Bryan describes Georgetown SFS-Q’s approach to the fitness holiday as “a way for anyone to be involved-walking and running are great exercises that everyone knows how to do, and don’t require any expensive equipment.” She explains that by meeting early in the day participants have the option of taking advantage of the many other activities on holiday calendars. “Qatar Foundation put together an impress schedule of wonderful activities last year, and this year promises to be even better. Georgetown community members can finish their walk or run, enjoy the refreshments we’ll provide them at the end of the workout, and still have plenty of time and energy to fill the rest of their day with a whole host of sports options along the waterfront, or at Qatar Foundation’s Education City events.”

Georgetown SFS-Q is known for its academic focus on serious global issues, however, organized sports and a focus on mind and spirit also play an important role in school life. The GU Wellness program, an extension of the Washington D.C. campus initiative, provides students, faculty, and staff with daily exercise programming, including yoga, pilates and strength training. Popular special events, such as Mary Brevin’s “Lunch, Munch, and Learn” provides the SFS-Q community members with the opportunity to enjoy a deliciously prepared healthy meal, while watching a powerpoint presentation that teaches participants how to source the healthy ingredients in Doha and prepare the meal again at home. “Sports Day falls right in line with our efforts at keeping everyone fit through GU Wellness, and our health and food fairs. We program fitness into our lives year round, but on Sports Day, fitness takes center stage.” This year’s walk and run on the Corniche will be the stage for this year’s holiday encouraging everyone in Qatar to get up, have fun, and get fit.