Hundreds of runners are set to descend on Masfout in Ajman on Saturday, the second in a series of events highlighting a 'hidden jewel' village in each of the UAE's seven emirates.
The Emirates Villages Run Series aims to promote the history and heritage of lesser-known communities while boosting the local economy − all while encouraging people to exercise.
First stop last Saturday was Qidfa, in Fujairah, where the lush farms and usually sleepy alleyways of the coastal village were filled with the hubbub created by almost 500 runners.
After Masfout, next on the list is Al Rams in Ras Al Khaimah, followed by Falaj Al Mualla in Umm Al Quwain, Dibba Al Hisn in Sharjah, Al Lisaili in Dubai, and finally, Al Shuwaib in Abu Dhabi, on December 6.
The races are organised by the Emirates Council for Balanced Development as part of the Year of Community, and offer a sizeable total prize pool of Dh500,000 ($136,000).
What is the Emirates Villages Run Series?
“Normally, we see all the runs in the cities and in places that are known to us,” said Abdulla Alblooshi, project manager of the Emirates Villages Run Series.
“But we thought of taking people into a journey, into a more historical, heritage-based, Emirati-style, authentic experience, and showcase those villages through the running series.”
The project is part of a dedicated effort hoping to regenerate villages around the country, with Qidfa the subject of a Dh1 billion development project.
“They are very unique, very distinguished,” Mr Alblooshi said of the villages featured. “They are like the hidden jewels of the UAE. The economic support for small businesses and homeowners in those villages [is another goal].”
Inclusivity and safety is a priority to help encourage physical exercise and community involvement. Entry fees are priced at Dh50, making it one of the most affordable races in the country. Each race hosts a 1.5km, 5km and 10km run.
“We are trying to get everyone involved, from kids to adults to senior citizens,” Mr Alblooshi said. “Promoting a healthy and active lifestyle is a primary goal in those villages and across the UAE.”
'See another side of UAE'
Dubai-based Semion Guran, who ran the 10km race in Qidfa, saw it as an opportunity to see another side of the country.
“It's not only about running, it's also discovering the UAE from this perspective because it will be seven Emirates,” he said. “It's about having fun. It's also about discovering yourself because you are challenging yourself. There are a lot of benefits.”
Mr Guran, who is from Moldova but has lived in Dubai for four-and-a-half years, is “absolutely” planning to run all seven races in the series.
“One of the reasons I started running is because of the influence of the UAE culture: the sport events and the people next to me. In my country, I was not really a runner. But then I started here, to join one event, another event − and during the year there's a lot of them.”
A focus on fitness
The UAE has been heavily promoting physical activity to encourage a more healthy lifestyle for its population, with events happening weekly around the country during the winter months.
Events like the month-long Dubai Fitness Challenge, and the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon keep residents in shape throughout this period.
“Hopefully this can be the start of something that stays with us for a long time as a national movement,” Mr Alblooshi said.
He emphasised the training collaboration with the Adnoc Abu Dhabi Marathon and the Open Masters Games, which will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2026.
The remainder of the Emirates Village Run Series schedule is as follows, with each race starting at 4pm:
- Saturday, October 18: Masfout, Ajman
- Saturday, October 25: Al Rams, Ras Al Khaimah
- Saturday, November 1: Falaj Al Mualla, Umm Al Quwain
- Saturday, November 22: Dibba Al Hisn, Sharjah
- Saturday, November 29: Al Lisaili, Dubai
- Saturday, December 6: Al Shuwaib, Abu Dhabi
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
