VIDEO: Registrations open for 50km Al Marmoom Ultramarathon

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Organised under the umbrella of Dubai Sports Council, in association with Dubai Municipality and FittGROUP, the 50km Al Marmoom Ultramarathon will take place on Friday March 5 in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve.

The event will also offer two shorter races of 10km and 5km, and all three races will take runners into the desert on hard and soft sand, including across and over sand dunes.

Participants will receive finisher medals and the top three rankings in each category, male and female, will be awarded trophies.

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Registration for the event is open now and those interested can visit the official website, https://www.ultramarathon.ae, for further information and registration.

All registered participants are invited to attend a series of practice sessions, ‘build up’ runs in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve in the lead up to the event.

Speaking about the race, Danil Bornventure, Race Director of FittGROUP, said: “The Al Marmoom Ultramarathon 50km Dune will be a challenging race that will test participants’ endurance, both mental and physical stamina, as well as strength and courage.

“Following the popular success of Al Marmoom Dune Run, we are offering the shorter distances of 10km and 5km to encourage the many runners who wish to experience the challenge of a desert race.  This event brings together the growing running community, both elite and recreational runners.

“It is being organised after unprecedented demand from runners who are looking for challenging competitions at all levels.”

Baydaa Muneeb Al Hadithy, Owner and Manager, Al Baydaa Stables, who are one of the sponsors, said: “We are delighted to support the Al Marmoom Ultramarathon, which is being held in a very special place.

The 3,000 years old Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site is also located within the reserve.

“Our rich desert cultural heritage is being preserved and celebrated in Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, which offers world class facilities to those who wish to enjoy the natural desert landscape and the abundant wildlife. We wish to support an event like this that brings people into Al Marmoom to enjoy the wonders of the desert.”

Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve is the largest project of its kind in the world, spread acros more than 40 hectares of pristine shrub land that is home to 204 species of native birds, 158 species of migratory birds and many other endangered species, as well as Arabian Oryx, Arabian gazelles, sand Gazelles, foxes, and wild cats.

The 3,000 years old Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site — one of the oldest sites in the country dating back to the Iron Age — is also located within the reserve.

Organising sports events inside Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, as well as places like Hatta and Jumeirah, has been one of Dubai Sports Council’s principal focus in recent times, as the council promotes these areas among both the domestic and international tourists as a premier destination.