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Swim when you’re winning

A record 714 everyday athletes turn out for this year’s Medicins Sans Frontieres swim round the Burj Al Arab

IT IS A day that begins at 6am for volunteers and participants alike, ending just before lunch. During those early wee hours on Jumeirah Beach, before the sun pokes out above Wild Wadi’s tallest waterslide, the sand is almost too cold underfoot yet activity is frantic in setting up Dubai’s largest annual charity swim. Stalls have to be erected, sound technicians boom out a continuous mix of Rihanna and Katy Perry to check the audio equipment and swimmers begin to file in collecting their respective wristbands and coloured caps from the registration point at the gate.

By 8am proceedings begin to heat up both figuratively and actually. Warmth permeates the beach as day breaks and tensions rise as the competitive stage of the morning’s events kick off. The ensuing 1600-metre dash round the Burj was perhaps the main focal point of this the 12^th edition of the competition. Comprising young and not so young, amateur and professional sportsmen and women (a UAE Olympian was among the challengers), racers braved the chilly water in search of 2014’s crown.

Results were surprising. It took just over 20 minutes for the leaders of the pack to make it to the finish line. The overall winner – Scottish national Tom Dalgarno aged only16 was first past the post with a time of 23 minutes 11 seconds. Coming in third overall, the highest positioned female, Holland native and Dubai resident Gwen Van Beek was merely 36 seconds behind (both pictured above).

“I’m speechless,” was Tom’s modest comment when told he had beaten a full-fledged Olympic contender.

Next up came the more inclusive and steadier 800-metre open swim. Despite attendants not battling for a title, every person who entered the water took home a medal for their efforts.

A record number of 714 turned out on Friday. Proceeds were in aid of Medicins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders, in association with the UAE’s Red Crescent. Over Dhs200,000 was raised for the humanitarian organisation, which provides free impartial healthcare around the world.

Away from the sea-based activities, attractions including Virgin Radio’s onsite broadcast centre providing the commentary, a bouncy castle, refreshments and information on how to get involved with Medicins Sans Frontieres made sure the crowd was thoroughly entertained. david@khaleejtimes.com

To find out more about MSF – visit www.msf-me.org.