• The UAE's first Bubble Run was held in Dubai on Sunday morning. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    The UAE's first Bubble Run was held in Dubai on Sunday morning. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • The run took place on a 3km course
    The run took place on a 3km course
  • The Bubble Run is a organised by US company Cool Events
    The Bubble Run is a organised by US company Cool Events
  • Giant canons were placed along the track, blowing a stream of bubbles on the runners as they passed
    Giant canons were placed along the track, blowing a stream of bubbles on the runners as they passed
  • The non-competitive run is meant for people of all ages
    The non-competitive run is meant for people of all ages
  • It is similar to other themed runs, including The Colour Run
    It is similar to other themed runs, including The Colour Run
  • The event took place on Bluewaters Island
    The event took place on Bluewaters Island
  • A jovial atmosphere at the Bubble Run
    A jovial atmosphere at the Bubble Run
  • Participants were treated to live music at the finish line
    Participants were treated to live music at the finish line
  • A warm up session was conducted before the run
    A warm up session was conducted before the run

Lifestyle

Things to do

UAE's first Bubble Run takes place on Bluewaters Island in Dubai

Giant canons were placed along the track, blowing a stream of bubbles on the participants as they passed

One Carlo Diaz

February 26, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

The term fun run took new meaning at Bluewaters Island on Sunday, as many runners took part in the UAE's first Bubble Run.

The race made its UAE debut on Sunday morning, as runners of all ages took on a foamy 3km course around the island.

Giant cannons were placed along the track, blowing a stream of bubbles on the runners as they passed. At the finish line, racers were treated to live music.

Participants take part in Bubble Run on Bluewaters Island, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Participants take part in Bubble Run on Bluewaters Island, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

The non-competitive event is similar to other themed runs, including The Colour Run, which is also billed as the “happiest 5k on earth”, where participants are covered in brightly coloured powder as they run.

Bubble Run's organisers, US company Cool Events, has more themed runs under its belt, including a neon lights-inspired event and a marathon held on a muddy track.

Marathons are regular events in Dubai, and a highlight of the fitness calendar is the annual Dubai Run.

More than 190,000 runners took part in last year's event, which was led by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai.

“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,” he said in November when the marathon took place.

Scroll through the gallery below for images from the Dubai Run in November

  • Sheikh Hamdan leads Dubai Run 2022 which took place on Sheikh Zayed Road. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Hamdan leads Dubai Run 2022 which took place on Sheikh Zayed Road. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Participants of Dubai Run 2022 throng Sheikh Zayed Road. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National unless otherwise specified
    Participants of Dubai Run 2022 throng Sheikh Zayed Road. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National unless otherwise specified
  • Two participants display the UAE flag during Dubai Run 2022 on Sheikh Zayed Road
    Two participants display the UAE flag during Dubai Run 2022 on Sheikh Zayed Road
  • The event is a key component of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by Sheikh Hamdan
    The event is a key component of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by Sheikh Hamdan
  • Runners, joggers, wheelchair-users and walkers participate in the event
    Runners, joggers, wheelchair-users and walkers participate in the event
  • The run is part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge's mission to encourage people in the UAE to become more active
    The run is part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge's mission to encourage people in the UAE to become more active
  • Dubai Run 2022 was the event's fourth year
    Dubai Run 2022 was the event's fourth year
  • Sheikh Zayed Road, one of the busiest roads in the emirate, was closed to drivers in both directions as its 14 lanes were taken over by a throng of fitness enthusiasts
    Sheikh Zayed Road, one of the busiest roads in the emirate, was closed to drivers in both directions as its 14 lanes were taken over by a throng of fitness enthusiasts
  • Runners took part in one of the two routes – 5km and 10km
    Runners took part in one of the two routes – 5km and 10km
  • Both the 5km and 10km routes gave participants a once-a-year chance to run along Sheikh Zayed Road
    Both the 5km and 10km routes gave participants a once-a-year chance to run along Sheikh Zayed Road
  • The Dubai Run is open to everyone irrespective of age and fitness abilities
    The Dubai Run is open to everyone irrespective of age and fitness abilities
  • The routes along the Dubai Run is closed to motorists during the event, as participants throng Sheikh Zayed Road
    The routes along the Dubai Run is closed to motorists during the event, as participants throng Sheikh Zayed Road
  • The 5km route started near the Museum of the Future. It then passed Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera and ended near The Dubai Mall
    The 5km route started near the Museum of the Future. It then passed Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera and ended near The Dubai Mall
  • The 10km route followed Sheikh Zayed Road to the Dubai Water Canal, then returned towards World Trade Centre before ending on Al Mustaqbal Street near the Dubai International Financial Centre
    The 10km route followed Sheikh Zayed Road to the Dubai Water Canal, then returned towards World Trade Centre before ending on Al Mustaqbal Street near the Dubai International Financial Centre
  • Participants proudly display the UAE flag during Dubai Run 2022
    Participants proudly display the UAE flag during Dubai Run 2022
  • The event brings together people from all backgrounds and nationalities
    The event brings together people from all backgrounds and nationalities
  • Participants arrive by Dubai Metro, alongside the Museum of the Future, to participate in Dubai Run 2022
    Participants arrive by Dubai Metro, alongside the Museum of the Future, to participate in Dubai Run 2022
  • Participants exit Dubai Metro early in the morning while arriving for Dubai Run 2022
    Participants exit Dubai Metro early in the morning while arriving for Dubai Run 2022
  • The Dubai Metro was open from 3.30am, providing the easiest way to travel to and from the event
    The Dubai Metro was open from 3.30am, providing the easiest way to travel to and from the event
  • The Joyalukkas team all geared up for Dubai Run 2022
    The Joyalukkas team all geared up for Dubai Run 2022
RACE CARD

6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m

7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m

8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m

10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League last 16, second leg
Liverpool (0) v Atletico Madrid (1)
Venue: Anfield
Kick-off: Thursday, March 12, midnight
Live: On beIN Sports HD

Episode list:

Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery 

Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges 

Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic 

Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks 

Ep5: Travel and tourism 

Updated: January 10, 2024, 11:56 AM
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