Runners and sports enthusiasts will get to enjoy the desert landscape and come to a close encounter with the Arabian Oryx, sandfoxes and mountain gazelles, while embarking on an intense 270km ultramarathon.
Dubai Sports Council announced on Wednesday the world's longest desert ultramarathon in the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve on December 11-15.
Athletes and hard-core enthusiasts can join the five-day ultramarathon on an intense 270km run, while runners can pick from continuous 100km and 50km distances for an ultimate measure of human endurance, physical strength and mental stamina.
The event's spokespersons estimate that the ultramarathon will attract about 400 runners this year. The council will dedicate $80,000 (Dh293,600) for cash prizes that will be distributed among winners. The amounts will depend on the race category and rank they win. There will also be trophies and medals. First place male and female winners in the 270km, 100km, and 50km will receive $6,000, $4,000 and $3,000 respectively. All finishers will be awarded certificates and medals.
His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, said the ultramarathon is set to encourage environment friendly sports and shed light on Dubai's nature reserves.
He said Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve has witnessed over 20 sports events, with the long ultramarathon to mark the year-end. "Participants will share their experience to the world and show a side of Dubai's breathtaking nature that many are not aware of," said Hareb.
"We are also excited about the stories that will be coming out of the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon - tales of true grit and the indefatigable human spirit because conquering 270 kilometres of the unforgiving desert terrain demands nothing less."
Health and safety
The base camp will be situated beside the lakes in Al Marmoom and will include tents, medical assistance, water and basic refreshments. Participants will follow specific routes with regular checkpoints located every 500 metres to for water, time keeping, medical and race crews.
Onsite emergency facilities will be available for participants and hydration stations will also be situated every 10kms on the routes.
Event Director Ruth Dickinson said all runners will be provided with a live tracking device, supplied by SamTech Middle East, to ensure safety. The timing technology will also provide a 'panic' button that will alert emergency services if there is a medical issue. It can also pinpoint where the runner can be located.
This technology will be available to view on mobile phones, tablets, laptops, social and mainstream media.
Al Marmoom Ultramarathon is open to ultra-runners over 18 years who provide a medical certificate attesting to their ability to participate in a race of this type as well as an ECG print-out dated less than 30 days prior to the race.
Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, stretches across 10 per cent of Dubai's land, and is part of a conservation initiative to promote Dubai's commitment to a sustainable environment, providing a balanced ecosystem for thousands of wild animals and migratory birds. It includes environmental, cultural and sports-related activities.
Those interested can register through the event's website.
By Sherouk Zakaria
