Sheikh Hamdan runs with residents in Sandstorm challenge

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai led the first wave of runners who took on the challenge.

They threw themselves over walls, slipped through truck tyres, jumped over mud and water obstacles, pulled themselves up with monkey bars, scampered across confined spaces and even crawled under barbed wires. They scrambled up and down the sand dunes, climbed and descended over a steep wall before making a final plunge from a 20-metre high, almost 90-degree-inclined slide into chest-deep water and across the finish line.

The obstacles were punishing and unthinkable but those thousands of people who participated and finished the Sandstorm Marmoum race on Friday showed a feeling of elation and personal accomplishment that was almost indescribable.

Sandstorm Marmoum, sponsored by Dubai Holding's Wellness Programme and held at Al Qudra Lakes in Dubai, was an endurance race and obstacle course divided into two distances -- 5K race with 30 various obstacles and 10Krun with 40 hurdles. Participants also had a choice between casual and competitive race with the top male and female competitors in the 10K circuit will be sponsored by Dubai Holding to participate in the World Championship taking place on October 13-15 at Blue Mountain Resort in Ontario, Canada.

Participants of various fitness levels and backgrounds really went out of their comfort zones and they got a huge boost from no less than Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, who, with his fearless spirit and love for sports and adventure, led the first wave of runners who took on the challenge.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was also spotted observing the race.

"Sandstorm promotes a healthier, happier and more active nation," said Dubai Holding vice-chairman and managing director Ahmad Bin Byat, who at 54, aced the 10K challenge.

"It was exhilarating and fast-paced," Bin Byat told Khaleej Times after crossing the finish line.

UAE residents and visitors are actually no strangers to obstacle races - back in 2015, the world-renowned Spartan Race was introduced in Dubai, and the annual Desert Warrior Challenge in Abu Dhabi is also a favourite among health buffs.

Participants at Sandstorm have their own reasons for taking up the challenge. For young Emiratis Omar Al Alhemair, Mansoor Al Asaimi, Ahmed Al Zarooni, Abdulaziz Albulooshi and Bader Al Ali, it was to own the bragging right who will finish first among them. They did not tell who crossed the line first but they were all elated that they conquered the race and came home in one piece. "Some obstacles were fun but most were really tough and treacherous," they said.

- angel@khaleejtimes.com