Get Active Like Sheikh Hamdan

This year's Dubai Fitness Challenge marks the seventh anniversary since it was initiated by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence.

Sheikh Hamdan, an avid fitness enthusiast and adventurer, leads this month-long celebration of exercise and wellness.

He actively participates in various events, including the Dubai Run, where he's often seen at the start line, demonstrating his commitment to action beyond words.

Regularly sharing his workouts on Instagram, where he has over 16 million followers, Sheikh Hamdan provides insights into staying fit and offers travel inspiration along the way.

Horse Riding

Coming from a family passionate about horses, Sheikh Hamdan is not only frequently seen at race meetings but also excels as a world-class equestrian athlete. He has competed in demanding endurance horse races globally, often securing gold medals.

In March 2014, after winning his second consecutive CISM World Military Endurance Championship, he was titled world champion at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in France, organized by the International Equestrian Federation.

The following year, he claimed the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Endurance Cup for the second year in a row.

In 2020, he triumphed in the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Cup, a challenging 120km race in AlUla, Saudi Arabia.

Competitors, including 200 riders from 17 countries, navigated through desert dunes and mountain peaks, competing for a share of a 15 million Saudi riyals ($4 million) prize.

Sheikh Hamdan won in approximately four hours and 35 minutes.

Last year, he emerged victorious in the 119km Dubai Crown Prince Endurance Cup, an event named in his honor.

Running

During the annual Dubai Run, participants run along a car-free Sheikh Zayed Road, led by the Crown Prince.

Often seen with his F3 sports teammates, Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied at last year's event by UAE astronauts Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, and Hazza Al Mansouri.

This year's Dubai Run is set for November 24.

A regular runner, Sheikh Hamdan shares his achievements, tracked on his fitness devices, on social media.

He's frequently spotted running at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, a favorite among elite athletes, sometimes alongside well-known names like Cristiano Ronaldo, as noted in a 2020 post.

Hiking

Renowned for his adventurous travels, Sheikh Hamdan indulges in activities like spearfishing, skydiving, cycling, climbing, and horse-riding across diverse locations.

In 2019, he documented his exploration of the Scottish Highlands, sharing a video on Instagram of himself hiking beside a river, accompanied by drone footage showcasing the picturesque waterfalls, expansive lakes, and vibrant hills.

Equipped with sturdy hiking shoes and a blue backpack, he was joined by at least six friends.

Last year, he completed the challenging Half Dome trek at Yosemite National Park.

Rising over 1,500 meters above Yosemite Valley and 2,682 meters above sea level, Half Dome is one of the most demanding hikes in California.

Spanning more than 30km, the hike is suited for seasoned mountaineers and those with high physical fitness levels, offering breathtaking views of Vernal and Nevada waterfalls and Liberty Cap's granite dome.

Most complete the round-trip in 10 to 12 hours, but Sheikh Hamdan and his group finished in just under nine hours, as shown on his Instagram.

Skiing

Sheikh Hamdan frequently travels for skiing adventures across the globe. Last year, he shared striking images from a trip to Courchevel in southeast France, showcasing his time during the skiing season.

Courchevel, located in the French Alps, is part of the Three Valleys, the world's largest connected ski area.

Its highest resort, Courchevel 1850, is the most exclusive, attracting wealthy clientele, including royal families. His trip also featured biking along a scenic route with a lake, mountains, and a rainbow backdrop.

He has also been sighted skiing in British Columbia, Canada. In January, he traveled to Finnish Lapland, sharing pictures of enjoying the snowy landscape with his entourage.

He also posted a video of himself ice fishing and another driving a BMW at Lapland Driving, a company organizing motorsports events in Europe's snowiest landscapes.

Obstacle Courses

In addition to the Dubai Fitness Challenge, Sheikh Hamdan inaugurated the annual Gov Games, where government employees engage in physical and mental challenges.

Launched in 2018, the games have expanded to include participants from UAE government departments, international teams, and the public.

Sheikh Hamdan competes with his F3 team, tackling rigorous obstacle courses. In 2017, he introduced Sandstorm, featuring 5km and 10km courses with rocky, sandy, wet, and muddy terrains and about 40 obstacles.

Cycling

Sheikh Hamdan's personal interests have shaped initiatives to enhance living standards in Dubai. In 2021, he launched the Dubai Bicycle-Friendly City Strategy 2025, a Dh400 million project to promote cycling safety in the emirate.

“Our aim is for Dubai to rank among the global best for quality of life, with projects supporting healthy lifestyles and community happiness,” he stated.

Dubai Ride, a non-race community cycling event, is now a highlight of the Dubai Fitness Challenge. Annually, thousands cycle along Sheikh Zayed Road, closed for a few morning hours, led by Sheikh Hamdan.

Diving

An expert diver, Sheikh Hamdan feels at ease both scaling peaks and underwater. He regularly shares images and videos of his dives, including clips of free-diving and spearfishing.

In 2021, he launched Deep Dive Dubai, an indoor facility with the world's deepest pool, certified by Guinness World Records at 60.02 meters, holding 14 million liters of water—equivalent to six Olympic-sized pools.

In April, Sheikh Hamdan launched the Dubai Reef, a massive coral reef conservation effort, with a deep sea exploration in Dubai's waters.

Covering 600 square kilometers, the project aims to create 400,000 cubic meters of coral reefs, making it one of the largest globally.

It seeks to enhance marine biodiversity, boost local fishermen's sustainability, and attract eco-tourism while reducing carbon emissions.

Joining him on the dive was billionaire Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund.

Dubai Reef, deemed a “blueprint for global environmental projects,” underlines Dubai's dedication to pioneering sustainability, Sheikh Hamdan stated.

The Dubai Fitness Challenge, spanning a month, begins on Saturday and continues until November 24.

Source: thenationalnews

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