Dubai Ride Draws Thousands

In the early hours, tens of thousands of cyclists took over Sheikh Zayed Road, racing down the popular 14-lane highway as part of an annual event.

During the Dubai Fitness Challenge, the Dubai Ride transformed the typically busy roadway, closing it to cars and filling it with cyclists instead for a few hours.

Organizers reported a record 37,130 participants, ranging from amateur to seasoned cyclists.

Notable participants included Safiya Al Sayegh, the first female cyclist from the UAE and the Gulf region to qualify for the Olympics, and Taylor Spivey, a top professional triathlete and silver medalist in the Paris 2024 Olympic triathlon.

Taylor is in Dubai for the inaugural Dubai T100 Triathlon World Championship Final, which will be held at Meydan on November 16 and 17.

This year introduced a new feature called Speed Laps, where experienced cyclists hit the road as early as 5 am—before sunrise—if they could maintain an average speed of 30kph, allowing them to lead the group of riders.

Other routes offered a 4km and 12km option that started at 6.15 am, with five starting points on Sheikh Zayed Road.

The 4km family-friendly downtown route went along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard and past attractions like Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera, and Burj Khalifa. Its flat terrain made it accessible to cyclists of all skill levels.

Conversely, the 12km route on Sheikh Zayed Road stretched from the Dubai World Trade Centre past landmarks such as the Museum of the Future and Coca-Cola Arena to Safa Park and back.

It featured a climb over the Dubai Canal Bridge, making it more suitable for experienced cyclists.

On November 24, the road will once again close for Dubai Run, the grand finale of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, expecting around 230,000 participants.

There will be two picturesque routes available—a 5km run for beginners and families, and a more demanding 10km course for seasoned runners.

First initiated in 2017 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, the Dubai Fitness Challenge motivates residents to engage in physical activity for a healthier lifestyle.

The 30x30 challenge encourages people to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day for 30 consecutive days.

In support of this, numerous venues offer free or discounted classes and sports sessions, alongside a rich schedule of community-led fitness activities.

Source: thenationalnews

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