The First Ever Dubai Run at Sheikh Zayed Road

  • November 11, 2019
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Residents and visitors in Dubai come together

Dubai witnessed its first ever community run along the city’s main artery - Sheikh Zayed Road. In the early hours of Friday, 8th of November, tens of thousands of residents, visitors, locals and expats alike flocked to the Dubai World Trade Center to take part in this historical event in-the-making. Participants saw the city’s 14-lane highway transform into a running track for all ages and fitness abilities. A rare opportunity.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, graced the event by running with the pack and leading the Dubai 30x30 initiative of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, with the aims of making Dubai the most active city.

 

 

Seeing Dubai from a different perspective

Runners made their way as early as 4 AM by means of public transport, thanks to the Road Transport Authority (RTA) for their service of having the Dubai Metro up and running.

The event featured two courses, a 5KM fun run open for all ages and a 10KM race for running enthusiasts from ages 18 years old and above. Registration is free of charge and participants collected their bibs, jerseys and armbands ahead of race day.

The Dubai World Trade Center was packed with thousands of people from all ages and different nationalities.  Both courses started and concluded at the DWTC with the route cruising along the city’s famous skyscrapers, residential buildings and exclusive towers. The group of runners were taken to the streets surrounding the city’s iconic landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and Emirates Twin Towers, seeing them from a different perspective for the first time compared to the everyday commute.

 

In the spirit of community

Families, friends and colleagues came together for a day of fun, fitness and camaraderie. People would stop in the middle of the road to take photos and selfies. This has been a milestone for each and everyone who joined and made this event a success.

 

Photo Credit: www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com

Photo Credit: www.thenational.ae