Trail running in the UAE is a great way to judge and improve your fitness

The UAE's rocky and sandy terrain make it ideal for trail running. Courtesy Urban Ultra

The thought of heading out for a run fills some people with dread. Pounding hard down a busy road or looping a track can be more than enough for all but the most dedicated runners. But it needn’t be that way.

Around the world, runners are getting off the beaten path and taking to the trails – and the UAE is no exception. There are weekly group runs and regular competitive events – such as the Urban-Ultra Hajar 100, a 100-kilometre trail run through Ras Al Khaimah – but it wasn’t always that way. Local trail runner and fitness coach Lee Harris was instrumental in establishing the UAE’s trail-running scene in 2012. “I wanted to build a great local community, so I created the Dubai Trail Running website,” Harris says. The site has since evolved into a Facebook-based group, with 1,300 active members, and last month rebranded as the Desert Trail Runners group.

“The trail running in the UAE is awesome. We have such diverse and rugged terrain. The mountains and wadis are tough and spectacular, and change constantly throughout the year, especially during the winter months, so it never gets boring,” says Harris, who has covered about 20,000km of UAE trails in the past four years.

Tread wisely

Regular road running can be tedious and result in impact fatigue and injury, especially if you’re not a dedicated and seasoned runner. Head off-road, however, and a run turns into much more of an adventure – one that you have a little less control over, but is a whole lot more natural in its manifestation. Softer terrain can reduce impact woes, but it does come with its own set of potential hazards.

The sandy and rocky environment in the UAE means that runners must take extra care. “You are in a remote region, so always run with someone who knows the area,” says Harris. “It’s easy to get lost. Always have a GPS device, so you know where you are and how to get back.” You shouldn’t rely solely on mobile phones, however, as they may not have a signal in remote areas, and batteries can run low.

Should you get lost, the desert can be a brutal place, and an injury could dramatically slow your pace and easily double your exposure time to the sun. Always be prepared with extra fluids and food.

“For longer runs in the heat, a hydration vest is wise. Always carry plenty of water and, of course, always carry a small first-aid kit,” Harris advises.

Get in gear

Loose, sandy and rocky terrain means that you will need to build up and feel the trail more. One slip could result in a broken ankle, so learning to relax and use your body weight and arms to balance is vital.

Technology for trail-running shoes has improved in recent years, with brands such as The North Face and Salomon leading the main field, and smaller brands such as inov-8 sprinting towards niche perfection. If you’re new to trail running, start your planning at a specialist outdoor or running shop, such as Adventure HQ or The North Face, where you can get advice on shoes and sizing. A well-rounded off-road trail shoe with a firmer sole is advisable for novices.

With any form of running, it pays to start with a brisk walk, and then to slowly intersperse this with short run sections until you can build up to a 20-minute run (after a warm-up and some stretching).

But be warned, trail running can be highly addictive as a form of both exercise and escapism.

For more information about trail running in the UAE, visit www.dubaitrailrunning.com, where Lee Haris has a downloadable guide to trail running in the UAE. Also visit www.urbanultra.com and www.dubaicreekstriders.org, and join the group Desert Trail Runners on Facebook.