The inaugural stage of the Dubai Women Running Challenge kicked off at Expo City Dubai, drawing an impressive turnout of over 300 female runners from diverse backgrounds and age groups. This event, organized by the Dubai Sports Council, encompasses four stages and will run until November 11, 2023. The race route traverses some of Dubai’s most iconic tourist destinations, offering participants the choice of three distances: 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km.
Results for the 10 km race across different age categories are as follows:
- In the 18 to 39 years category, Anna Yashikova claimed first place with a time of 42:53 minutes, followed by Georgina Bishop (44:33) and Paulina Pascaro (47:36).
- Among those aged 40 to 49 years, Justine Graham secured the top spot in 42:56, followed by Ling Tang (50:52) and Hiba Abdel Hamid (52:15).
- In the 50 to 60 years category, Zeina Chopard emerged victorious in 55:57, followed by Ruth Waag (01:07:29) and Angela Houghton (01:07:29).
For the 5 km race, Khloud Al-Saddi from Oman clinched first place with an impressive time of 20:40, trailed by Michelle Brito (24:05) and Amy Kelly (24:52). In the 2.5 km race, Maria Erdneva took the lead with a time of 12:17, followed by Sabreen Shidad (13:15) and Farah Abu Shanab (13:39).
Participants were awarded unique medals for completing the first stage, featuring the Expo Dubai logo and a segment of Dubai’s name. These medals will eventually combine to form a larger one, symbolizing all four zones of the challenge. The four stages will be hosted at distinct tourist and sports destinations, making them ideal for families.
The second stage is scheduled for October 8, 2023, at the Al-Shindagha Historical District, running from 06:00 to 08:30. The third stage will take place on October 14, 2023, at the Dubai Frame in Zaabeel Park, between 21:00 and 23:00. The fourth and final stage is set for November 11, 2023, from 06:00 to 08:30 at Love Lakes in Al-Marmoom Natural Reserve. Registration is open at Dubai Women Running Challenge.
