Mud and sand order of day as thousands take part in UAE’s first Spartan Race

DUBAI // Covered in sand and splattered with mud, thousands of men, women and children ran, jogged and lurched across the finish line at the Spartan Race, the country’s first obstacle sprint run on Friday.

Strong winds stirred up sand from dunes at the Jebel Ali Racecourse, adding a natural challenge to the 5km course for participants, among them Dubai’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, who were already tasked with overcoming 15 obstacles.

“It was hot, tough and difficult but I liked it and I will come back,” said Maximilien Deharo, from Monaco, a runner in the elite category who has participated in four Spartan races in France and Slovakia.

“This was different because I live in the mountains and here it is hot. Also, the sand makes it very difficult to run. I have sand inside my mouth, all over me. Obstacle races are very important to me because, mentally, it makes you strong.”

Runners were released in waves over 15-minute intervals, with elite athletes sprinting out first followed by the open category.

Caked in mud, with sand lashing their faces, more than 5,000 participants hauled themselves up ropes, crawled under, jumped over and squeezed between wooden walls, some of which were even topped with barbed wire.

Faster athletes yelled encouragement to slower team members who stumbled into mud pools after clambering up mounds of sand, climbing stairs, heaving heavy tyres and hoisting buckets and bags of sand.

Runners pulled themselves up ropes, gingerly climbed down wooden slats and jumped over smouldering firewood in the final stretch. They yelled and whooped as they crossed the finish line, where volunteers handed them medals.

Hundreds of participants flew in from countries in Europe, South America and Asia to take part.

“It is very tough to run in sand and in the mud you cannot be stable — sometimes it is up to your calves and sometimes over your knees,” said Chancel Gatsoni, from Paris, who has participated in 13km Spartan Super and 20km Spartan Beast runs in France.

“My legs are burning in the heat. I like the rope climb but I can never throw the spear properly. I had to do burpees because I failed to throw it far; that hurt. I will come back because it is one of the best races because of the sand.”

Runners who could not complete a challenge were required to complete a set of burpees (a squat, press-up then upright manoeuvre) before moving to the next obstacle.

The largest group of participants completing burpees were at the rope obstacle, the spear throw and a wall where runners negotiated hand and foot holds while horizontally crossing a wall.

“I’m very tired but the spirit is great and all this leads to healthy living,” said Didem Reynolds, who works in a Dubai spa.

“I loved the event and it was exciting to take part.”

Children clambered over wooden fences, lugged sand-filled buckets and flipped tyres in the junior courses, which ranged from 0.8 to 1.8km in length.

The event was also a good event for families, as parents cheered and shot videos of their participating children.

“I’ve done other races but not like this,” said Keira Khattar, 7, who ran with her five-year-old brother Aiden.

“Here we had to carry sand and go over obstacles. I enjoyed everything.”

Her father, Sabah Khattar, a contracting engineer in Dubai, said involving children in sports at a young age was important.

“I just want them to get used to races,” said Mr Khattar, who has run the Dubai Marathon.

“It’s good for the unity of the family. Also, when they grow up, training and being fit will become second nature. Sport will become a priority, not drinking and smoking, because that naturally goes against being healthy.”

Some participants questioned the delayed start and said they repeatedly asked volunteers for directions since signs were not clearly marked.

Organisers apologised for the hour-long delayed start but said they made up time during the course of the race that continued through Friday afternoon.

rtalwar@thenational.ae