Road closures announced for Sunday's Dubai Run

Public have been advised to find other routes or take the Metro

One of the UAE's biggest thoroughfares was closed to traffic last year as tens of thousands of runners took part in the Dubai Run 2021. All photos: Ruel Pableo / The National unless otherwise specified

The annual event was the culmination of the month-long Dubai Fitness Challenge, where UAE citizens, residents and visitors are invited to take part in 30 minutes of exercise, every day for 30 days

Participants enjoy the carnival atmosphere on Sheikh Zayed Road

The Dubai Run started next to the Museum of the Future at 6am

Jumping and jogging, the early morning run saw people in high spirits

The race ended near the Dubai World Trade Centre

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at the start of the Dubai Run

Sheikh Hamdan soaks up the atmosphere

Families and children made up much of the crowd for the fun run, which has two routes along Sheikh Zayed Road, one of 5km and one of 10km. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Runners gather outside the Museum of the Future, at the start of the run. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Participants take selfies in front of the Museum of the Future

The Dubai Run started before sunrise

Thousands of people took part in the run. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Dubai Police supercars lead the way at the start of the Dubai Run. Photo: Dubai Media Office

Road closures to make way for the annual Dubai Run have been announced by the Roads and Transport Authority.

Hosted by Dubai Fitness Challenge, thousands will take to the roads early on Sunday, which means many motorists will have to find other routes.

On Sunday between 4am and 10am, Sheikh Zayed Road, one of the busiest roads in the emirate, will be closed to drivers in both directions between Trade Centre Roundabout and the 2nd Interchange.

Lower Financial Centre Street and Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard will also be closed.

The public has been advised to take a different route or travel by Metro to avoid disruption.

It has been two weeks since Dubai Ride closed the same sections of the road when thousands of cyclists pedalled through the city.

Last year, more than 146,000 runners, joggers, wheelchair-users and walkers participated in Dubai Run, a highlight of Dubai Fitness Challenge.

The event is now in its fourth year.

Taking part

If you are taking part in the run you can find all the information you need here.

Dubai Run will set to start at 6.30am. Those who have registered to take part in one of the two routes — 5km and 10km — should arrive at 4am.

The run must finish by 8.30am so the roads can open again to traffic, so it is important to arrive in good time to complete the race.

The 5km and 10km routes will give participants a once-a-year chance to run along Sheikh Zayed Road.

The 5km route begins near the Museum of the Future. It then passes Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera and ends near The Dubai Mall.

The 10km route follows Sheikh Zayed Road to the Dubai Canal, then turns towards World Trade Centre before ending on Al Mustaqbal Street near the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Dubai Ride 2022: in pictures