Guest: Dana Matar

Episode Name: Beyond the Trail, Summiting Peaks & Inspiring Lives Through Trail Running

Guest: Dana Matar

Host: RA George (The Race Space Podcast)

Contact info for Dana Matar

Instagram: @dana.runsultras ⁠https://tinyurl.com/2j4vet9a⁠

Co-founder and director of Peak Sports

Peak Sports website: ⁠https://peakssports.com/⁠

Peak Sports WhatsApp group - ⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/JK3wPAZ8mPlLUvTq1FtPPO⁠

Email ⁠info@peakssports.com⁠

• Al Qudra Trail Race 22 March 2024 - Registration Link here ⁠https://my.raceresult.com/279812/⁠

• Use the code QUDRA15 to avail of the voucher discount valid until March 15.

• Shawka Hump Race 04th Edition - 03rd November 2024

⁠Women Play Sports⁠ featuring Dana Matar: “Endurance Unleashed”

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssZTQhKGang⁠

Summary of the conversation

• Dana, extended a warm welcome to listeners, acknowledging the beginning of Ramadan Kareem.
• She advised listeners to prioritize listening to their bodies and focusing on better health during Ramadan.
• Dana shared her journey from being an architect to pursuing ultra-running events with her company, Peak Sports Events, after moving to Dubai over a decade ago.
• She discussed how she merged her passion and skills effectively.
• Dana recounted her active childhood, which included scouting and hiking.
• She shared her experiences in ultra trail running, highlighting two particularly memorable events.
• Dana discussed the challenges and rewards of trail running in Oman.
• She expressed her aspirations in ultra running, including completing a 100-mile run.
• Dana talked about the history of Peak Sports and mentioned her co-founder, Samer, who also founded Trail Running DXB.
• She shared the principles of trail running and its positive impact on the community.
• Dana discussed the Showka Hump Race in Wadi Showka, UAE, emphasizing safety measures and the evolution of the event.
• She outlined the requirements for ultra running and information provided during race briefings.
• Dana mentioned her incorporation of architectural skills into event organization.
• She talked about the GOAT Trail races in Dubai, including race formats and international participation.
• Dana discussed challenges faced during event organization, such as border security checks.
• She shared details about upcoming events at Al Qudra and Peak Sports' tracking system.
• Dana offered predictions for event finishing times and discussed the influence of coaching on performance.
• She shared tips for mental resilience and compared local and overseas athletes.
• Dana offered advice for creating dominant world champions in ultra trail running and emphasized the importance of athlete feedback and branding.
• She discussed her passion for music and offered advice to aspiring athletes.
• Dana expressed thoughts on accepting cryptocurrencies for event payments.
• She concluded the podcast by thanking the community for their support in her trail running journey.

Thank you for the podcast