RUNmadan challenge: staying active while exploring neighbourhood mosques in the UAE

RUNmadan, organised by the Filipino Runners United volunteer club, challenges participants to run between five and 16 kilometres after iftar, to visit a selection of more than 200 mosques in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

RUNmadan invites runners to cover between five and 16 kilometres a day while visiting neighbourhood mosques. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

A group for runners in Dubai has come up with a novel way of helping residents to keep fit during Ramadan, while also educating them about Islamic traditions along the way.

RUNmadan is organised by the Filipino Runners United volunteer club and will begin on the first day of Ramadan. It challen­ges participants to run between five and 16 kilometres after iftar for 30 days, to visit a selection of more than 200 mosques in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Those taking part will also compete to lose the most weight. The winner will receive sports gear and vouchers.

Keep moving

In 2012, Filipino resident Ross Pisuena was trying to find a way to motivate his 14-year-old daughter to get fit. The idea he came up with was to run between mosques in his neighbourhood – that way she could look forward to a new route every day.

“It was just the two of us and we managed 15 runs, every other day, during Ramadan that year,” he says.

Seeing that many residents struggled to stick to an exercise routine in summer, especially during Ramadan, Pisuena decided to invite others to participate in the runs the next year.

“On the first day I was afraid no one would show up, but 20 runners joined us and then it snowballed and the numbers started increasing,” says the 48-year-old, who is also the chairman of the running club. The first few runs were in Dubai’s Karama area, where participants visited six mosques and clocked about 5.5km. This year, they have added more neighbourhoods, including Oud Metha, Mirdif, Jumeirah and Al Barsha in Dubai and two runs in Abu Dhabi – in the Muroor area and around the Grand Mosque.

But this is more than just a regular run for Pisuena. The architect, who moved to Dubai 13 years ago, also wants to promote cultural understanding and highlight the stunning architecture of mosques around the country.

“I’ve done a lot of research on these mosques, the architectural designs and characteristics,” he says. “So I will be discussing whether this is moorish architecture, and talk about the motifs, domes and minarets.”

He says he has learnt a lot from the initiative.

“I’m Christian, but this has been the most enlightening experience for me,” he says.

“I’ve learnt so much about the history, culture and areas of Dubai, just by talking to the people and the imams in these neighbourhoods.

“I’ve seen grand mosques and the smaller ones, where workers pray, and each of them have their own charm.”

Pisuena looks at this event as their contribution to Dubai as long-time residents.

“The idea is not only to get people to exercise but to foster cultural unity and to gather friends,” he says.

The route

This year, about 15 volunteers from FRU will assist more than 100 participants to cover about 200kms in 30 days.

Runners will set off from a mosque and visit others in the neighbourhood, where they will regroup to discuss its architecture and take photos.

“This year, because we have many more people joining us, we have divided the runners into groups,” says Pisuena. “The groups will have a team leader and will start at different times so that it does not get chaotic.”

The runs will begin after iftar and could last for three or four hours to accommodate people of all fitness levels. The longest run – about 16kms – will be in Al Rashidiya in Dubai, where there are 20 mosques. The first run will start in Al Barsha after the traditional canon firing before iftar.

Some of the mosques runners will visit include Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Al Safa and Jumeirah Mosque.

“Participants will get race packages with information and safety measures to be taken,” says Pisuena. “We advise them to wear dry-fit T-shirts and men can wear shorts. Women need to wear jogging pants.”

He says they also stress the importance of constant hydration before and during the run, given the hot and humid conditions.

“There is also a rest time at each mosque, so runners can catch their breath and avoid exhaustion,” he adds.

The challenge

As an incentive to take up the 30-day challenge, a goody bag is on offer to participants who lose the most weight by the end. Contestants will have to participate in at least 15 runs to qualify.

“Every day we will be covering at least 5km, and participants can walk briskly, jog or run, depending on their fitness,” says Pisuena. “We will assist them until they finish the entire run.”

There will be a weigh-in on the first day of the challenge, followed by another at the end of the month to find three winners. Runners have to lose at least two kilograms to be eligible for the prizes. They will also receive certificates.

• Follow www.facebook.com/runmadanchallenge to find out more about the challenge and routes