Ready for the next level? Here’s a look at some mid-level fitness events in the UAE to prepare for.
Talise Sandstorm
Dubai – September 30
Teams of two will climb, crawl, run and jump through a series of challenges on land, sand and sea, starting at Jumeirah Beach Hotel and covering 4km. Teams will be split into three groups: competitive, intermediate and casual. Entry costs Dh490 per team. Register at www.fitnesslink.me/events/618/talise-sandstorm-8
Hilton Dubai Tower Race
Dubai – October 8
Run up 730 stairs to the 36th floor of Hilton Dubai The Walk to raise money for the Rashid Centre for Disabled. The race starts at 7.30am and costs Dh150 to enter. Register at www.premieronline.com.
Zayed Sports City 5km & 10km run
Abu Dhabi – October 14, January 13, March 10
Raise money for charity while completing a 5km or 10km course in and around Zayed Sports City. The popular event caters to all age groups, starting from under-10s. Children up to the age of 16 can enter for Dh120, adult entry costs Dh180. Register at www.premieronline.com.
Urban-Ultra X-Tri 2016
Kalba, Sharjah – November 5
If you're more of a mountain biker than a road racer, this off-road triathlon in Kalba, Sharjah, on the UAE's east coat, is for you. The only one of its kind in the region, the championship distance involves a 1.5km sea swim, 35km mountain bike-ride and 10km trail run, while the sport distance involves a 750m swim, 18.5km bike ride and 5km run. Entry costs Dh400. For information, visit www.urbanultra.com.
Abu Dhabi Striders Half Marathon & 10km
Abu Dhabi – November 18
Starting at Yas Waterworld, this mostly flat course makes its way around Yas Island, taking in Ferrari World, Yas Marina and other island attractions. There are several age categories, including juniors. Starts at 6.30am, entry costs Dh235 for adults and Dh180 for ages 12 to 17. It's a popular event so participants are advised to register early at www.premieronline.com.
Tough Mudder
Dubai – December 9 and 10
Early bird tickets sold out within two weeks, so don't wait to register if this international event is on your must-do list. Participants compete as a team to get through an 8km or 16km mud and obstacle course at Hamdan Sports Complex. There's also a category for juniors, covering 1.5km. Entry costs Dh415 for the 16km event and Dh290 for 8km event. Register at www.toughmudder.ae.
Spinneys Dubai 92 Cycle Challenge
Dubai – December 16
A staple on the UAE fitness calendar, this is the seventh time the event has been held and each year it attracts a new wave of cycling enthusiasts. Ideal for hardcore cyclists as well as amateurs, there is now also a 53km course and a few shorter options for juniors. Starts at 6am, entry costs Dh270 for adults and Dh50 for children. Register at www.cyclechallenge.ae.
Get serious: Build-up rides are on September 2 (35km), October 7 (45km), October 25 (65km) and November 25 (85km) and cost Dh50. More details at www.cyclechallenge.ae.
RAK Half Marathon
Ras Al Khaimah – February 10
This 21.1km run is a popular fitness event on the calendar and entrants are advised to register early to avoid missing out. Next year's event has a new venue and race course, and for those who don't think they can complete 21.1km, there's a relay challenge for teams of four. Starts at 7am, entry costs Dh250. Register at www.premieronline.com.
TriYas
Abu Dhabi – February, date TBC
This day-to-night triathlon in and around Yas Marina has several categories, from a sprint (750m swim, 22km bike ride and 5.5km run) to Olympic distance (1,500m swim, 38km bike ride and 10km run). There is also the option to compete as a team. Pre-registration is open at www.yasmarinacircuit.ae.
Get serious: Haddins Fitness has a programme to train specifically for the triathlon and it is expected to start in early December. For details, search for Haddins Fitness on Facebook.
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
STAGE 4 RESULTS
1 Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 4:51:51
2 David Dekker (NED) Team Jumbo-Visma
3 Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal
4 Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis
5 Matteo Moschetti (ITA) Trek-Segafredo
General Classification
1 Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates - 12:50:21
2 Adam Yates (GBR) Teamn Ineos Grenadiers - 0:00:43
3 Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep - 0:01:03
4 Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:01:43
5 Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo - 0:01:45
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL
Al Nasr 2
(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)
Shabab Al Ahli 1
(Jaber 13)
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Stamp duty timeline
December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%
April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.
July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.
March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.
April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.
Results
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Major Cinnamon, Fernando Jara, Mujeeb Rahman
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Al Mureib, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Remorse, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Meshakel, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Desert Peace, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Sharamm, Ryan Curatlo, Satish Seemar
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
