Spartan sets the standard for women
First event to be held at Jebel Ali racetrack on December 16
Spartan Arabia is targeting at least a 50 per cent participation ratio from women at all their events in the future.
The first women’s-only Spartan Race to be held in the Middle East and North African region was announced by XDubai and Spartan Arabia at a press conference held at the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), yesterday. Scheduled to be held on December 16 at Jebel Ali Racecourse, the XDubai Spartan Race presented by Dubai Holding women-only event is expected to attract women from across the region for the five-kilometre sprint race that features more than 20 obstacles.
There are only 1,000 places available for the race, that will feature a festival for spectators to cheer on the competitors.
Organised by Spartan Arabia and supported under a partnership between XDubai and Dubai Holding, the organisers are now confident of attracting an increased number of women at subsequent events to be held in the future.
“We are trying to reach 50 per cent of women across all our races. At the moment we are hovering around 30 per cent, but we see the increase in potential from women participating,” Julia Al Jenaibi, the marketing manager of Spartan Arabia said.
“This is what we are trying to get to. We had a huge response from women at the Hatta Spartan race a couple of weeks back, and now having a women-only race we can push these figures up. I am confident we will achieve this target.”
15 years and above
Open to women aged 15 years and above, the event will begin at 9am on December 16m at Jebel Ali.
“Events such as this one will help us in increasing focus on the empowerment of women towards an active and healthy lifestyle,’ Hessa Al Kous, the manager of the DSC events department, said.
“We have seen first-hand the huge success of the first triathlon for women [the Dubai Women’s Triathlon] held earlier this month and we are looking forward to the Spartan run as it will be a great opportunity for our women to test themselves against the best from the region.”