The first race of the 2019 FINA Marathon Swim World Series is set to begin in Doha tomorrow ©FINA

The first race of this year's International Swimming Federation (FINA) Marathon Swim World Series is set to begin in the Qatari capital of Doha.

FINA's Marathon Swim World Series is a nine-stage event that takes place in either fresh water or the sea.

The first race of the nine is due to begin tomorrow at Doha Cornice, a waterfront promenade and the centrepiece for the city.

Participants will compete over 10 kilometres, with four laps of 2.5km.

The men's competition will feature 88 swimmers, while 60 will participate in the women's event.

None of the top three from last year's men's race in Doha will feature.

In the women's race, last year's winner Sharon van Rouwendaal of The Netherlands is back to defend her title.

The winner of last year's race in Doha, Sharon van Rouwendaal of The Netherlands, is back to defend her title ©Getty Images
The winner of last year's race in Doha, Sharon van Rouwendaal of The Netherlands, is back to defend her title ©Getty Images

Joining her will be Germany's Leonie Beck and Finnia Wunram, who had finished in second and third place respectively. 

The winner of the men and women's race will receive $3500 (£3,000/€4,000) in prize money.

Several countries are using the event as a qualifier for July's FINA World Championships in Gwangju in South Korea, giving the race added importance for some competitors. 

The series begins in Doha before moving on to the Seychelles and Setubal in Portugal.

Balatonfured in Hungary will host the fourth leg, while Lac St. Jean and Lac Megantic in Canada will host the fifth and sixth. 

The tail end of the series will then take place in Chinese Taipei and Ohrid in Macedonia, with the competition culminating in Chun'An in China.