SZR TURNS INTO GIANT RUNNING TRACK
Hamdan leads runners of all ages and nationalities on 10km run from 6.30am
The world’s largest free fun run, Dubai Run, set a new record yesterday with more than 193,000 people turning Dubai’s iconic Shaikh Zayed Road into a giant running track.
“More than 193,000 ran together-thank you #Dubai,” Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said in an Instagram post hours after leading the sea of runners.
“Thank you all. Let’s make it more than 200,000 next year Dubai,” he said in another post.
The fourth edition of Dubai Run, the flagship event of the annual Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), saw 47,000 more people than its 2021 edition, hhad 146,000 runners taking part amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shaikh Hamdan added: “Running alongside over 193,000 people who completed the Dubai Run today, I was moved by the strength of our community and seeing what we can achieve when we work together.
“I would also like to thank the organisers, government departments led by the Events Security Committee, partners and everyone who contributed to the success of Dubai Run — a truly remarkable event and a day to remember.”
People cheered as they spotted Shaikh Hamdan joining the runners once again. Much to their delight, Shaikh Hamdan shook hands with some and waved at others.
Incredible excitement and determination on display
Waking up in the wee hours, professional and amateur runners and fun and fitness loving people headed to SZR to participate in the 10km and 5km events.
Dubai Metro started operating from 3.30am to ply the participants of Dubai Run to the event. Participants in the 5km run arrived via the Emirates Towers or the Financial Centre stations, while participants in the 10km arrived via the World Trade Centre station or the Max station.
Sea of neon green jerseys
Leaving home well in advance, participants came in as singles, pairs, families and groups and gathered in a couple of hours. Runners, joggers and walkers followed Shaikh Hamdan as he kicked off the 10km Dubai Run 2022 at 6.30am.
Presented by Mai Dubai, the Run was flagged off from the starting line near the Museum of the Future, with a sea of enthusiasts dressed in neon green colours running or walking on the 5km and 10km routes.
Landmark-filled routes
Both routes went through the heart of the city, passing by some of Dubai’s biggest landmarks. SZR was closed for motorists from 4am to 10am.
The more experienced professional runners and some new running enthusiasts put in all the energy to complete the 10km route that followed SZR to the Dubai Canal, then took participants back towards the Dubai World Trade Centre before ending on Al Mustaqbal Street near the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Running alongside over 193,000 people who completed the Dubai Run today, I was moved by the strength of our community and seeing what we can achieve when we work together.”
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Dubai Crown Prince
Entertainment galore
It was a jamboree for many fitness enthusiasts, social runners and families who soaked up all the fun of walking, strolling and running on the 5km route which passed by Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and Burj Khalifa.
Refreshment stations were set up along the routes.
Flashing mobile lights, clapping and cheering, men, women and children of all ages joined the run. Families joined in huge numbers, many carrying their toddlers on their shoulders and some pushing strollers of younger ones.
Taking selfies, ‘groufies’ along the iconic landmarks of Dubai, participants in the 5km run had more fun. Music kept many entertained all along their run and walk.
With one week left of the annual Dubai Fitness Challenge, participants still have the chance to take advantage of the fun-filled event calendar, with several activities organised in parks and other venues.