Riyadh Running Clubs Beat the Heat

RIYADH: For many people in Saudi Arabia, summer typically means lounging on the couch with the air conditioning blasting while watching sports on TV. 

Those who dare to venture outdoors often face the risk of heatstroke.

However, running clubs in the Kingdom are thriving and continue to gain momentum.

Seema Ghannam, an active participant in the Riyadh Road Runners club, shared with Arab News, “You can stay active no matter where you are.

Movement knows no boundaries because you possess hands, arms, and legs. It’s instinctual to keep moving.”

In the past, physical activity outside of schools and organized football teams was almost non-existent in the Kingdom.

A lack of facilities, suitable outdoor areas, and high temperatures discouraged many.

Now, with an increase in padel courts and projects like Sports Boulevard, there is a noticeable rise in physical activity, including running.

To observe how these runners maintain their routines in the heat, Arab News visited a Monday evening session at 7:30 p.m. hosted by the Riyadh Road Runners, which was founded in 1978.

Participants were seen running laps, ascending stairs, and engaging in full-body workouts.

The group, composed of individuals from various age groups and nationalities, began with a warm-up before transitioning to strength training and running laps, concentrating on proper techniques.

Coach Amr Hafez incorporates bodyweight and stair exercises into their runs to enhance stamina and muscle strength.

The session concludes with a final lap around the compound, after which the runners cool off in the pool.

Ghannam, who also teaches yoga and swimming, added running to her fitness regimen two years ago.

She appreciates Hafez’s comprehensive approach to training the core, hips, glutes, and thighs.

“We focus on learning different types of running, proper foot placement, and the best shoes to wear,” Ghannam said, expressing her preference for outdoor running to acclimate her skin and body to the heat.

To handle the high temperatures, she recommends that runners select times that suit them best, whether early mornings or evenings.

Hafez, who is a national sales manager at a Saudi food company, has been coaching with the Riyadh Road Runners for over three years.

He adheres to three primary guidelines for summer running: staying hydrated, managing breathing, and incorporating high-intensity interval training.

He mentioned that during his early running days, he integrated martial arts techniques into his training—a fitness strategy he learned from his first coach.

“Runners need to develop all their muscles for optimal performance,” he explained. “Combining strength with fitness enhances long-distance running capability.”

Hafez reflected on his previous belief that running was merely a punishment for slacking off in school sports.

He never envisioned that he would one day participate in a marathon or help others achieve the same goal. “Most of the team couldn’t even jog 1k when they started,” he noted.

Omar Al-Ansari, a coach with the R7 club in Riyadh, boasts six marathons to his name. R7 trains in Wadi Hanifa, an area that offers some respite from the heat.

“The trails are shaded by trees, and the breeze from the lake creates a temperature difference of about 3 to 4 degrees compared to the rest of the city,” he said.

Similar to the Riyadh Road Runners, R7 prioritizes hydration. “Always run with water and consume electrolytes to replace what is lost through sweat,” advised Al-Ansari.

He also recommends wearing light-colored clothing, completing workouts before sunrise or after sunset, choosing shaded areas or gardens for exercise, and ensuring to apply sunscreen.

Many runners expressed to Arab News that there are now fewer excuses for inactivity in the Kingdom.

“There’s a growing awareness of the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle in the country, and despite the harsh summer weather, there are ways to stay active,” Al-Ansari stated.

Hafez provided a straightforward suggestion to Arab News, “Start by walking and progress from there.”

Source: arabnews

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