Expat Runs 115km for Oceans

On the sun-scorched roads from Hatta to Dubai’s bustling highways, Aakash Nambiar, a committed runner and Dubai resident, completed a barefoot trek of 115 kilometers for an important cause.

Aakash began his run at 6 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, and crossed the finish line 17 hours later at approximately 11 p.m., focusing on health and environmental conservation.

Along the way, he took planned breaks every 30 kilometers to replenish his water supply and pushed through, despite painful blisters on his feet.

When asked about the purpose of his run, Aakash emphasized, “With many celebrating love this Valentine’s week, we want to remind people that self-love is vital.

Taking care of your health and protecting our oceans is especially important in a country like the UAE, surrounded by stunning marine environments.”

The run was organized in collaboration with AZRAQ, a UAE-based non-profit organization dedicated to marine conservation through initiatives like beach cleanups, desert cleanups, and the protection of coral reefs and mangroves.

At 36 years old, Aakash has spent a decade running across different countries for similar causes, all while working full-time as an advertising manager for a European agency.

Although not a professional athlete, he has completed several ultra-distance runs globally, including a 100-kilometer challenge from Abu Dhabi to Dubai five years ago, as well as endurance runs in Japan, Spain, Portugal, Sri Lanka, and India.

Since moving to Dubai a year ago, Aakash has continued barefoot running, something he has been doing for ten years.

“Running without shoes feels natural to me. Shoes can limit the foot’s natural movement, and by running barefoot, I promote a zero-carbon footprint message,” he explained.

The Hatta-to-Dubai run, however, posed unique difficulties. Aakash described the challenges of the harsh climate, saying, “The heat, especially from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., was intense.

I developed painful blisters that made the final stretch incredibly difficult. Normally I don’t get blisters, but the road conditions were tougher than expected.”

Navigating Dubai’s busy highways also added to the difficulty. “The last 25 kilometers were particularly challenging because of the traffic. I had to stay focused with blisters on my feet,” Aakash recalled.

“But once you get close to the finish line, the pain becomes secondary, and your focus gets sharper.”

Running on highways required careful planning, but Aakash minimized disruptions. “I stayed on the far-left side of the road and made sure to get approval from the authorities.

When running solo, no special permits are needed, but you do it at your own risk,” he added.

Aakash ran alone but was supported by a crew that provided hydration and nourishment at regular intervals.

While the primary purpose of the run was to raise awareness about AZRAQ’s conservation efforts, he also wanted to inspire community engagement.

“This is about showing people what they can do to protect our oceans,” he said. During the 17-hour run, he sustained himself solely on tender coconut water and regular water.

Looking ahead, Aakash is eager to continue running for meaningful causes and exploring new locations for his runs. “I’m already considering Lebanon for my next adventure,” he shared.

Source: khaleejtimes

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.