‘Sky’ is the limit in Dubai’s fight against obesity
Dubai joins key international cities with SkyRun on Friday
dubai — Around 365 local and international runners will ‘rise up to the challenge in the fight against obesity’ as they participate at the Dubai Holding SkyRun 2016 on Friday.
Formerly known as Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon, the 14th edition of the race now named Dubai Holding SkyRun is a climb of 52 floors, 1,334 steps or 265 metres to the top of Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ office building.
This is also the first time that Dubai joins London, Paris, Sydney, Manila, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and other key cities in the Vertical World Circuit (VWC) race.
“The VWC began on March 8 in London and Dubai is the second leg and the third highest race event in the circuit this year,” Cedric Betis, chairman of Dubai Holding Wellness Committee, told Khaleej Times.
“This race is aimed at encouraging the UAE population, including our employees, to make a healthy behavioural change especially in the fight against rising obesity and Type 2 diabetes in the country.”
“This race is a perfect platform for physical activity and we strongly encourage people to take care of themselves and simply move,” added Betis.
He also noted that discussions about additional events are underway as they have received unprecedented response in the build up to Friday’s race.
“Proceeds of the Dubai Holding SkyRun will go to Al Jalila Foundation’s obesity research in the UAE to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the wider community in the long run,” said Betis.
Sulaiman Baharoun, senior fundraising manager at Al Jalila Foundation, noted: “Over the last few years, Dubai Holding SkyRun has contributed Dh615,000, which has been instrumental in enhanc- ing our research capabilities. Al Jalila Foundation has invested more than Dh780,000 to address the prevalence of obesity as a tier one epidemic in the region.”
Meanwhile, local runners can get inspiration and learn a thing or two how to ascend effectively from elite international runners who are joining in the Dubai race this year.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, twotime Vertical World Champion (2014 and 2015) Piotr Lobodzinski from Poland said: “The most important thing (in the vertical race) is to pace yourself. It is also important to use your hands, not just your legs, in running.”
He explained: “Hold the rail and propel yourself as you run. For me, I start slowly so as not to tire myself immediately and I take two steps at a time. Unlike the usual flat track, where you will feel really tired after covering 70-80 per cent of the distance, in vertical running, you will be exhausted already in the first 2030 pe rcent of the race.” Lobodzinski said he is on a mission to break last year’s record set by Paul Faulkner who ascended in 7.56 minutes.
“I usually cover 10 floors in one minute so my target is to finish the race under seven minutes or one minute faster than the Dubai record,” added Lobodzinski who won the Eiffel Tower Run Up 2015.