DUBAI // A group of about 50 amateur athletes took to the rocky hills near Showka Dam early yesterday as part of an effort to make trail running a more popular sport in the country.
Lee Harris, the founder of Dubai Trail Running Group, said The North Face Trail Running Event was organised to advocate the joys of running in natural surroundings. “We want to try and get more people out here and show them the trails. The UAE has such a great outdoor life with the deserts and the trails, which go on for hundreds of kilometres,” he said.
“You are not tied to the city and I want people to realise that. You can come out and have an amazing time in the middle of the mountains. It is good for the body and good for the mind.”
While there are official trail races in other countries in the region – such as the Wadi Bih Run in Dibba, Oman – this is believed to be the first of its kind in the UAE.
At 5.30am, most runners were stretching and gearing up for the 12.5-kilometre course, while a handful of ultra-fit runners were taking on a 25km run.
Reshma Beeranthbail and Roohi Hamlani said they were excited to take part in the 12.5km run and have fun. “I’m not sure how long it’s going to take us, it really depends on whether we stop to take pictures,” said Ms Beeranthbail. “I’ll probably be one of the slower ones, but we’re basically doing this for fun, it’s not a race.”
Ms Hamlani said she would be running the course at a steady pace. “I’m not here to really push it,” she said. “I run with another club and I wanted to do something different, which is when we discovered Lee.”
Asterid Gercke and Lynne Durell, both of whom have lived in the UAE for more than six years, said they had taken part in other official running events and were looking forward to running cross-country.
“This is the first time I have done something like this, trail running,” said Ms Gercke.
Ms Durell said: “I always do the Wadi Bih Run, which is an annual event of about 80km through the mountains. This is the only event besides Wadi Bih that’s on a trail site. Everything else in the UAE is on the roads or are marathons. It’s very nice to see another trail event.”
Stuart Walkers and Peter Robinson were also running the 12.5km course and were looking forward to trying something new. “This is our first time doing the trail run, and the first time we have run with Lee,” said Mr Walkers.
Mr Robinson said: “It’s nice to see a range of ages and different people. Because this is our first [time], we are uncertain about how difficult it’ll be.”
At about 8.15am, the first group of runners approached the finish line. Eden Uy, a first-time runner, said the experience made her want to practise to achieve a faster timing at the next event. “This is something I will definitely do again. It is wonderful to see people get together and go on these social runs, where others can help you and give you tips,” she said.
The event was hosted by The North Face in partnership with Dubai Trail Running Group.
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Fast facts on Neil Armstrong’s personal life:
- Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio
- He earned his private pilot’s license when he was 16 – he could fly before he could drive
- There was tragedy in his married life: Neil and Janet Armstrong’s daughter Karen died at the age of two in 1962 after suffering a brain tumour. She was the couple’s only daughter. Their two sons, Rick and Mark, consulted on the film
- After Armstrong departed Nasa, he bought a farm in the town of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1971 – its airstrip allowed him to tap back into his love of flying
- In 1994, Janet divorced Neil after 38 years of marriage. Two years earlier, Neil met Carol Knight, who became his second wife in 1994
