A guide to Dubai Fitness Challenge and races for this winter season
The onset of cooler weather in the UAE means it’s time to get outside with those trainers on because Dubai Fitness Challenge is upon us.
The fifth annual event began on Friday and will run until Saturday, November 27. Those interested in committing to 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days can now register for the initiative on the official website.
There’s a full schedule of events and activities taking place city-wide to help you stay true to your goals. Here’s a look at some of what’s on offer:
Dubai Ride and Dubai Run
One of Dubai Fitness Challenge’s most popular events is Dubai Ride and this year it will be held on Friday, November 5, giving cyclists the chance to experience the city’s best roads on two wheels. Presented by DP World, participants can choose between a 14-kilometre general route around Sheikh Zayed Road or a 4-km fun ride with family and friends around Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard. The race is free to attend but registration is essential at Dubairide.com.
Dubai Run is also making a return, with runners of all ages and abilities encouraged to take to Sheikh Zayed Road on Friday, November 26. There will be a 5km route for families and a 10km for athletes, with both starting next to Emirates Towers Metro Station. The 5-km route loops around DIFC, while the 10km one will take the overpass towards Downtown Dubai, with gorgeous views of the Burj Khalifa and other skyscrapers.
DFC Fitness Villages
This year, DFC’s Fitness Villages, which are outdoor spaces offering an array of sports and fitness classes at each venue, will return. These villages will operate throughout the 30 days and cater to all ages and fitness levels. The Mai Dubai Fitness Village in Mushrif Park will feature six zones to help you achieve your fitness goals, from pools to a multifunctional gym with trainers, to a Kids Zone complete with an obstacle course. It will be open daily, from Saturday to Wednesday between 4pm and 10pm, and Thursday to Friday, from 4pm to 11pm.
The DP World Fitness Village at Kite Beach will have the seaside activity centre dedicated to DFC, with a variety of free health and fitness activities daily (Sunday to Thursday, 2pm to 11pm, and Friday and Saturday, 7am to 11pm). This year, visitors can expect 15 sports zones for activities such as HIIT training, yoga, cycling and water sports.
The village also features a ladies-only zone, Fun Spot Kids Zone and Etisalat main stage area for live classes and sessions. This year, anyone registered with DFC can book a session at the Padel Tennis Arena, with a coach offering classes and training sessions for all levels. For yoga lovers, there’s the new Suspension Yoga zone.
Meanwhile, the Expo 2020 Dubai site will also feature a Fitness Village packed with running events, a Global Fitness Stage, football pitch, cricket nets, a gym, multisports area and more.
Expo 2020 x Dubai Fitness Challenge
Expo 2020 is every athlete’s dream come true, with a variety of activities taking place, and a wide expanse. Runners can lace up and train at the Expo Running Club on all 182 days of the world’s fair, with 30-minute classes taking place daily, for all experience levels.
Meanwhile a new – and oncein-a-lifetime – event coming to Dubai’s race calendar this year is the Expo 2020 Dubai Run on Friday, November 19. It will take participants around the fair’s pavilions.
There will be three options, with 3km, 5km and 10km routes. Those looking for something more laid-back can sign up for the informal and free Run the World Family Run, taking place every Saturday morning.
DFC Fitness Hubs
DFC’s free Fitness Hubs will be located across numerous residential and commercial neighbourhoods in the city, offering you the chance to get moving with the help of certified fitness instructors while enjoying the sunshine. There will be 14 hubs in total, including ones located at DMCC, DIFC, D3, Zabeel Ladies Club and in Hatta, with sessions such as body weight training, cycling, HIIT and Zumba.
Free fitness events
A number of venues across Dubai will also be offering free sessions to get the blood pumping – so watch out for these offers and promotions. Theatre of Digital Art will be offering free yoga sessions every Friday from 10am to 11am, until Friday, November 26, with a certified coach specialising in hatha-vinyasa yoga, taking participants through a low-impact workout that’s easy on the joints.
Meanwhile, until Saturday, November 27, Festival Plaza will be hosting free Zumba sessions in the mall, at 7.30pm daily during weekdays and 10am on weekends.
Calendar of races
Apart from Dubai Run and Dubai Ride, there’s a number of races and runs taking place during DFC that you can now sign up for. These are:
● Super Sports Canal Night Run (Tuesday, November 2)
● The Night Run at Run The Track (Tuesday, November 9)
● Dubai Design District Run (Friday, November 12)
● Al Marmoom Dune Run (Friday, November 12)
● Beach Run Festival (Friday, November 12)
● La Mer Open Water Swim (Sunday, November 14)
● Skechers Performance Run 1 (Friday, November 19)
● The CBD Run on The Palm (Friday, November 26)