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.
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
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 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 -
Participants proudly display the UAE flag during Dubai Run 2022 -
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 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 Joyalukkas team all geared up for Dubai Run 2022
