Everything you need to know about Friday's Sheikh Zayed Road run: routes, parking, timings

5km runners will pace down the main skyscraper-lined stretch, while the 10km will also loop around Burj Khalifa

Runners will start at Dubai World Trade Centre, go down Sheikh Zayed Road, and then turn into Downtown or DIFC, via Emirates Towers. Reuters 

The route and road closures for the Sheikh Zayed Road run on Friday, November 8 have been confirmed, with thousands preparing to take part. Here's everything you need to know before you go.

The routes

The routes begin on Sheikh Zayed Road near the exhibition centre DWTC, rather than next to the Trade Centre roundabout.

5km runners will start near the World Trade Centre and travel down the main skyscraper-lined stretch. They will then make a u-turn of sorts, running toward Emirates Towers and then back down Happiness Street to finish back at World Trade Centre.

10km runners will set off from the same mark, but will also run along Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, looping around the Burj Khalifa before running through DIFC to the Trade Centre.

What you need to do before race day

Anyone who has registered needs to collect their bib before race day. You can do so either at Dubai World Trade Centre or at Sun and Sand Sports stores.

The bibs will be at Sun and Sand Sports stores from Wednesday, November 6, or at Concourse 2, Dubai World Trade Centre on Tuesday, November 5 (4pm to 10pm), Wednesday, November 6 (9am to 11.59pm) and Thursday, November 7 (9am to 10pm). You need to have a printed or mobile copy of your registration to collect a bib, and those running the 10km must bring a valid Emirates ID or passport when collecting the bibs to verify age. You can collect a bib for someone else if you have a copy of their ID and their Platinumlist ticket.

Anyone over the age of eight needs to have collected their bib in advance to be able to run.

Children below eight must be accompanied by parents: they will be given a wristband to wear, on which their parent's phone numbers should be written in case of emergency.

What time do the races start? 

You need to have collected your bib in advance to be able to race. If you're late, you will also not be able to race.

The 10km race begins at 6.30am, and you will need to be in the assembly area by 6.15am. The 5km run begins at 6.45am – and you need to be in the assembly area (marked in the map above) by 6.30am.

The 5km is open to everyone, the 10km is for those over 18 only, and must be completed within 80 minutes. The 10km race is timed, and all participants will be given chips.

Roads will need to re-open at 9am, so any racers still on the road at that time will be transported by vehicle off the road for safety.

Where should you park? Or should you even drive?

It's highly advised that you arrive by taxi or Careem, the best place to get dropped off is at the Zabeel gate on 2nd Zabeel street. There will be parking options around Emirates Towers, Index Tower, DIFC and on the side of Sheikh Zayed Road closest to Jumeirah beach (opposite to Dubai World Trade Centre).

Parking spaces at Dubai World Trade Centre and One Central will open at 4am, doors to DWTC will open at 4.30am and parking facilities around the area will close at 6am (due to road closures).

You will have to park in these areas by 6am, and will have to vacate many of the parking spaces by 9am (which is presumably when most roads will reopen).

There will be bike racks available at the One Central building next to Trade Centre.

The Dubai Metro will open at 4.30am, but the Dubai World Trade Centre Metro will close for those getting off the train at 6.15 am. The Mall of the Emirates parking will be open from 4.30am for those who want to park there and then catch the metro.

A few other things you should know about 

Water will be offered to runners free of charge, and there will be light snacks and other refreshments available for purchase.

There will be toilets dotted along the route. The event area is only open to participants, there will be no areas for spectators. Only bring what you can carry: there are no lockers or storage spaces.

There will be prizes worth more than Dh200,000 collectively to give away: the first three women and first three men to finish the 10km run will be given prizes.

Prizes come courtesy of various companies, including Fitbit and Emirates Airlines.