By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Arabian Adventures, part of The Emirates Group, and sports brand ASICS have joined the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) to offer free, guided sightseeing runs across the city from 30 October to 28 November 2020.
The runs offer a unique experience for all fitness levels and abilities, welcoming participants for an on-foot perspective of iconic sights and landmarks. Runners can also learn new skills and techniques from the “ASICS FrontRunners” team, who will lead select sessions each day. Arabian Adventures has also partnered with the developers of the Questo city explorer mobile app to encourage participants to complete a fun run any time during the 30-day event.
Runners joining the initiative can choose from three different routes with varying difficulty levels around the city. The advanced 10km beach run will take participants along the Kite Beach with views of the iconic Burj al Arab, while the moderate 5km scenic run will take place around the Burj Lake in Downtown Dubai. Those who can’t join any of the guided runs or are just getting started on their fitness journey can choose to do an exciting 3km ‘treasure hunt’ style quest in the Dubai Creek area by completing a self-guided run with the Questo city explorer mobile game. This option lets runners play as they go, while learning about the places that they pass by. The app can be downloaded for free on Android and iOS smartphones.
The participation in all guided runs is free of any charge but requires registration on arabianadventures.com.
Justine Thomas, General Manager, Arabian Adventures, said: “We are delighted to partner with the Dubai Fitness Challenge, ASICS and Questo to help Dubai residents and visitors make the most out of 30×30 fitness journeys. Our sightseeing runs offer everyone a great opportunity to explore the world’s most active city with experienced ASICS coaches, while enjoying the great outdoors. We look forward to contributing to the success of Dubai’s unique initiative and delivering memorable experiences for the runners.”
Ana Elisa Seixas, Marketing Manager, ASICS Middle East, said: “The Dubai Fitness Challenge is one of our favorite times of the year and we are looking forward to engaging with the Dubai community in the pursuit of a healthier and more active lifestyle, together with Arabian Adventures. Our FrontRunner team absolutely loves running in Dubai and are super excited to share that passion with all participants that will join us.”
Alex Govoreanu, CEO, Questo, said: “We are happy to join the Dubai Fitness Challenge and help people explore the city through our fun, safe and healthy quests. With Questo, people can walk or run to play our quests and solve challenges that will allow them to discover new places and stories. Every quest is unique and can be played on your own, without a group or a tour guide, thus encouraging social distancing.”
Arabian Adventures and its partners have taken several measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the participants of the guided runs. All runners will undergo temperature screening before the start of the activities and be required to maintain social distancing of 2 meters at all times. Wearing a face mask is compulsory while engaged in a light or moderate intensity activity, but masks can be lowered/removed while engaged in strenuous and vigorous intensity running. Groups will not exceed five participants.
Arabian Adventures is one of the UAE’s leading destination management companies. Its full-service offering includes bespoke tours and safaris, airport assistance services, transfers, hotel reservations, tailor-made event management, cruise handling, and visa assistance. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has recently awarded Arabian Adventures the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, recognising the company for achieving high health and safety standards across its operations.
The Dubai Fitness Challenge is a month-long initiative aiming to transform Dubai into the most active city in the world. With a calendar of exciting events, DFC is all about motivating and involving the city’s residents and visitors to undertake 30 minutes of continuous exercise per day for 30 days.
ASICS is a leading designer, manufacturer and retailer of high-performance athletic footwear, apparel and accessories. Founded in Japan in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, the company name is derived from the Latin ‘Anima Sana In Corpore Sano’, A Sound Mind in a Sound Body. We believe that movement helps to lift our spirits. And it has never meant more than right now.
