They conquered the ‘sandstorm’

dubai — They threw themselves over walls, slipped though truck tyres, jumped over mud and water obstacles, pulled themselves up with monkey bars, scampered across confined spaces and even crawled under barbed wires. They scrambled up and down the sand dunes, climbed and descended over a steep wall before making a final plunge from a 20-metre high, almost 90-degree-inclined slide into chest-deep water and across the finish line.

The obstacles were punishing and unthinkable but those thousands of people who participated and finished the Sandstorm Marmoum race on Friday showed a feeling of elation and personal accomplishment that was almost indescribable.

Sandstorm Marmoum, sponsored by Dubai Holding’s Wellness Programme and held at Al Qudra Lakes in Dubai, was an endurance race and obstacle course divided into two distances –— 5K race with 30 various obstacles and 10Krun with 40 hurdles. Participants also had a choice between casual and competitive race with the top male and female competitors in the 10K circuit will be sponsored by Dubai Holding to participate in the World Championship taking place on October 13-15 at Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario, Canada.

Participants of various fitness levels and backgrounds really went out of their comfort zones and they got a huge boost from no less than Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who, with his fearless spirit and love for sports and adventure, led the first wave of runners who took on the challenge.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VicePresident and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was also spotted observing the race.

“Sandstorm promotes a healthier, happier and more active nation,” said Dubai Holding vicechairman and managing director Ahmad Bin Byat, who at 54, aced the 10K challenge.

“It was exhilarating and fastpaced,” Bin Byat told Khaleej Times after crossing the finish line.

UAE residents and visitors are actually no strangers to obstacle races — back in 2015, the worldrenowned Spartan Race was introduced in Dubai, and the annual Desert Warrior Challenge in Abu Dhabi is also a favourite among health buffs.

Participants at Sandstorm have their own reasons for taking up the challenge. For young Emiratis Omar Al Alhemair, Mansoor Al Asaimi, Ahmed Al Zarooni, Abdulaziz Albulooshi and Bader Al Ali, it was to own the bragging right who will finish first among them. They did not tell who crossed the line first but they were all elated that they conquered the race and came home in one piece. “Some obstacles were fun but most were really tough and treacherous,” they said.

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM ... According to organisers, around 2,800 runners took part at Sandstorm Marmoum, which featured 30 and 40 obstacles for the 5K and 10K races respectively. Sheikh Hamdan can be seen running (face covered) with other participants in the Sandstorm obstacle marathon at Al Qudra Lake in Dubai on Friday.

LEAD FROM THE FRONT ... Sheikh Hamdan tackles an obstacle during the Sandstorm obstacle marathon. Known for his fearless spirit and love for sports and adventure, Sheikh Hamdan led the first wave of runners who took on the challenge.

MAN VS NATURE ... Sandstorm took place within Al Marmoum Conservation Reserve, which is home to Arabian Oryx and the Sand Gazelle.

GOT YOU MATE ... Teamwork was vital to complete the obstacles like this, where one has to slip through truck tyres. A participant helps his friend cross the obstacle.

SAND SURFING... A participant doing a balancing act to complete an obstacle at the race.

AT THE ZENITH ... Organisers said they are “proud to put Dubai and the UAE on the international map for obstacle racing.”

UNDER PRESSURE ... Aside from running up and down the sand dunes, challengers also had to crawl through tight tunnels.

BUBBLY FINISH ... After the strenuous race, participants enjoyed a ‘bubbly’ relief at the finish line.