• Competitors scale a net at Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge, organised by TriFactory, an Egyptian sports management company, at the O West district, in Giza. Reuters
    Competitors scale a net at Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge, organised by TriFactory, an Egyptian sports management company, at the O West district, in Giza. Reuters
  • Organisers say Tough Mudder is designed to drag you out of your comfort zone by testing your physical strength and mental grit. Reuters
    Organisers say Tough Mudder is designed to drag you out of your comfort zone by testing your physical strength and mental grit. Reuters
  • A runner in the desert during Egypt's Tough Mudder event, that was held March 5 and March 6. Reuters
    A runner in the desert during Egypt's Tough Mudder event, that was held March 5 and March 6. Reuters
  • A competitor falls into the water during Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge, at the O West district, in Giza. Tough Mudder events have taken place in more than 25 countries around the world. Reuters
    A competitor falls into the water during Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge, at the O West district, in Giza. Tough Mudder events have taken place in more than 25 countries around the world. Reuters
  • A competitor takes a tumble during Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge. Organisers say the event is not a race, but a way for participants to have fun and challenge themselves. Reuters
    A competitor takes a tumble during Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge. Organisers say the event is not a race, but a way for participants to have fun and challenge themselves. Reuters
  • Teamwork is key in the Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge, say organisers, as these competitors demonstrate. Reuters
    Teamwork is key in the Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge, say organisers, as these competitors demonstrate. Reuters
  • Competitors feel the strain, during Egypt's Tough Mudder event. Organisers tell participants that if an obstacle is too daunting, then go round it – 'without penalty or shame'. Reuters
    Competitors feel the strain, during Egypt's Tough Mudder event. Organisers tell participants that if an obstacle is too daunting, then go round it – 'without penalty or shame'. Reuters
  • Competitors raise their arms in celebration as they cross the finish line, during Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge, at the O West district, in Giza. Reuters
    Competitors raise their arms in celebration as they cross the finish line, during Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge, at the O West district, in Giza. Reuters
  • A competitor expresses his delight as he crosses the finish line, during Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge. Reuters
    A competitor expresses his delight as he crosses the finish line, during Egypt's Tough Mudder challenge. Reuters
  • Jubilant competitors reflect the Tough Mudder aim of challenging yourself while having fun, at O West district, in Giza, Egypt. Reuters
    Jubilant competitors reflect the Tough Mudder aim of challenging yourself while having fun, at O West district, in Giza, Egypt. Reuters

MENA

Survival of the fittest: tackling a Tough Mudder event in Egypt

Competitors had to battle water traps, climbing nets and the desert heat in Giza

The National

March 10, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

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While you're here
Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

MENA