Dubai Fitness Challenge returns: Here are 14 essential events to check out

From running in Hatta to free yoga sessions, here are 14 events to not miss during the Dubai Fitness Challenge

Participants are covered in paint as they take part in the Color Run in London. Neil Hall / Reuters

The Dubai Fitness Challenge returns for a second year, from October 25 until November 24, with the aim to get people exercising for at least 30 minutes each day. After the success of last year's event, in which more than a million people participated, new activities are planned for 2018. Here are 14 venues with unmissable events.  

Dubai Festival City

When: October 25 (3pm to 11pm) and Saturday (1pm to 8pm)

Price: Entry is free

What: The Dubai Fitness Challenge starts with a two-day carnival. There will be 26 classes, competitions and a chance to meet fitness personalities. Enjoy yoga, interactive bike classes, Les Mills spinning classes or TRX. Children can enjoy climbing and trampoline areas, inflatable assault courses, toddler zones, kids' yoga, basketball sessions and even a bootcamp. 

La Mer

When: Until November 24 

Price: Free entry

What: La Mer transforms into a fitness hub, with daily workout sessions including yoga, Zumba, BodyCombat, BodyPump and TRX. There will also be a children's sports area with beach football, volleyball and basketball. Weekend sessions run from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 11pm, with weekday sessions from 7am to 9pm. 

Club Vista Mare on Palm Jumeirah

When: October 27 from 5pm

Price: Entry is free 

What: Core Beats features beach workouts to R&B music with yogis and fitness instructors. There will be two sessions: 5pm for Yoga Beats and 6pm for Fitness Beats.  

Hatta

When: November 16

Price: Tickets from Dh254

What: Jump through fire, mud and water, climb hills and crawl under barbed wire in the XDubai Spartan Race. The Spartan Sprint is 5km with 20 obstacles, for all fitness levels, while the Spartan Super is 13km, with 25 obstacles. Kids ages 4 to 14 can join the mini-Spartans 3.2km course.

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa

When: November 24 (7.30am to 4pm)

Price: Dh1,420 per person

What: The Bab Al Shams Yoga Retreat offers the "Horse-Human Connection" with Kelly L Eide, master Equus coach. There are also two yoga and meditation sessions with Amanda Cunliffe-Smith.

Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort

When: November 2 (6.30am to 11.15am)

Price: Dh200 for an individual or Dh1,000 for a team of five 

What: The Pink Ladies Games 2018 invites teams of three to five women to compete across six challenges in support of The Pink Caravan breast cancer charity. The organisation will receive 20 per cent of entry fees.

City Centre Mirdif

When: October 27 at 8.30am

Price: Free

What: City Centre Mirdif and sports apparel brand Lululemon Athletica host a free function-­movement class at the East Galleria mall to improve your flexibility. 

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Read more:

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Sheikh Hamdan's Dubai Fitness Challenge returns this month

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Bab Al Shams Arena

When: October 26 (3pm to midnight) 

Price: Tickets from Dh349

What: The first World's Ultimate Strongman: Beasts in the Middle East will find the strongest man in the region through a truck pull, arm-over-arm vehicle pull and 18-inch deadlift. Visitors can also enjoy activities such as roller skating, mini-golf and a UFC Gym area. Enjoy capoeira and Shaolin Monks Kung Fu performers and fire dancers, plus music and food trucks. 

Jebel Ali Racecourse

When: October 27 (6am to 11.15am)

Price: Tickets start from Dh235

What: This year's women's only-event will features the Sprint and the Super Spartan Race. The Sprint is a little over five kilometres with more than 20 obstacles. The Super Spartan spans 13km to 15km, with 25 obstacles.

JA Hatta Fort Hotel, Hatta

When: November 9 (from 4.30pm)

Price: Tickets start from Dh105, team entries from Dh1,575

What: Make a run for the hills at this year's Reebok Wadi Bih Run, which covers 20 kilometres, 35km or 70km. Enter as an individual or team (for the 70km stint). Children can participate in the event's first 2.5km trail.  

Jebel Ali Waterfront

When: November 2 (from 5am)

Price: Tickets start from Dh157

What: This year's Tri Fest features three levels: Olympic, Sprint and Super Sprint. Olympic is a 1,500-metre swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run; Sprint is a 750-metre swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run; and Super Sprint is a 375-metre swim, 20km bike and 2.5km run. The Teeny Tiny Triathlon (for ages 4 to 14) has a 100-metre swim, 2.5km bike ride and 500-metre run. Register by October 30. 

Dubai Autodrome

When: November 10 (from 8.30am)

Price: Tickets start from Dh55 

What: Put on your best superhero costume for the Colour Run. The 5km race douses participants in different colours, followed by the Finish Festival party with music, dancing and more colour throws. 

Dubai Media City Ampitheatre

When: November 15 (from 7pm), November 16 (9am to 8pm) and November 17 (9am to 6pm)

Price: Free entry

What: Yogafest offers free sessions for all ages, which will be led by some of Dubai's best-known practitioners and guest teachers. Healthy food vendors will be on-site.

Burj Park 

When: November 23 (2pm to 10pm) and November 24 (1pm to 8pm) 

Price: Free entry

What: The Closing Weekend Carnival offers an obstacle course, free weights and conditioning gym, an LED Running Wall, BMX Zone, in-line skating and a VR Zone.