• Participants getting ready for the Dubai Run at The Frame Zabeel Park. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
    Participants getting ready for the Dubai Run at The Frame Zabeel Park. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National
  • The Dubai Run challenge took place on Friday morning
    The Dubai Run challenge took place on Friday morning
  • The Dubai Run was open to all ages and abilities
    The Dubai Run was open to all ages and abilities
  • Participants with a UAE flag get ready to take part in the Dubai Run at The Frame Zabeel Park
    Participants with a UAE flag get ready to take part in the Dubai Run at The Frame Zabeel Park
  • This year's run saw participants choose their own routes across the city
    This year's run saw participants choose their own routes across the city
  • The Dubai Run is part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge
    The Dubai Run is part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge
  • Participants running at the Dubai Run, The Frame Zabeel Park
    Participants running at the Dubai Run, The Frame Zabeel Park
  • Participants warming up ahead of the Dubai Run
    Participants warming up ahead of the Dubai Run
  • Participants stretching before running at the Dubai Run atThe Frame Zabeel Park.
    Participants stretching before running at the Dubai Run atThe Frame Zabeel Park.
  • Participants at the Dubai Run, The Frame Zabeel Park.
    Participants at the Dubai Run, The Frame Zabeel Park.
  • Participants don matching T-shirts ahead of the Dubai Run
    Participants don matching T-shirts ahead of the Dubai Run
  • Participants at the Dubai Run, The Frame Zabeel Park.
    Participants at the Dubai Run, The Frame Zabeel Park.
  • A man gives a thumbs up during the Dubai Run on Friday morning
    A man gives a thumbs up during the Dubai Run on Friday morning
  • Participants at the Dubai Run, The Frame Zabeel Park.
    Participants at the Dubai Run, The Frame Zabeel Park.

Runners take over the city for the Dubai Run challenge - in pictures


  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai was transformed into a running track on Friday morning, as hundreds of people laced up their trainers and took to the streets as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

The Dubai Run event challenged runners to put their best foot forward for the free race, which this year looked a little different.

In previous years, up to 7,000 runners have taken part in the event which is usually held on Sheikh Zayed Road, however, this year, there were various routes across the city in order to prevent overcrowding.

The event was open to all ages, ability and fitness levels, with participants able to choose their own track in any community or neighbourhood, as well as their pace, distance, and whether they want to run solo or with buddies (groups have to be restricted to a maximum of five).

In the build-up to the event, Dubai Fitness Challenge launched 28-day training programme curated by professional coaches and athletes such as Manal Rostom, Luke Mathews, Lee Ryan and Luke Gaffney.

Scroll through the gallery above to see pictures from this year’s Dubai Run challenge

_________________

Dubai Fitness Challenge:

Sheikh Hamdan leads from the front as Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road turns into a cycle track

UAE coaches work out for 24 hours to honour athletes of determination – in pictures

Luis Figo, Carles Puyol and host of former superstars take part in Dubai five-a-side

Dubai Fitness Challenge: exercise for free in -4 degree temperatures at Ski Dubai

_________________