ASTOUNDING SPORTING FEATS: THE INSPIRATIONAL WAYS THE CITY’S RESIDENTS HAVE EMBRACED DUBAI FITNESS CHALLENGE

With Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) drawing to a close, the city’s residents have fully embraced the challenge, giving rise to inspiring tales of individuals venturing into uncharted territory. These stories include attempts to break new Guinness World Records™, completing impressive physical feats to raise money for worthy causes, and ultra-athletes surpassing their limits by undertaking seemingly impossible endeavours.

Here are just some of the remarkable stories from this year’s DFC:

Running inspiration with Paralympian, Jessica Smith

Jessica Smith is a former Australian Paralympic Swimmer, who now works as a public and motivational speaker and global disability inclusion consultant. This DFC, she has teamed up with Asics and the Run Keeper app to help the city take steps to improve their running each week, in the lead up to the Dubai Run presented by Mai Dubai on Sunday 26 November. Residents who have downloaded the Run Keeper app can join her Dubai Run with Jessica group and access free audio-guided training plans – “My first 5K” and “My first 10K”. Since this year’s DFC began on Saturday 28 October, Jessica has been sharing tips and encouragement on her social media, supporting her followers on their fitness journeys. People can still join in by simply joining to the app for free, and also registering for the Dubai Run at www.dubairun.com. There are two routes to cater to all ages and fitness abilities – a 10K and 5K, which families can jog or walk.

If you like the idea of group motivation, Jessica is also hosting community meetups at Kite Beach, in which people can run or walk the track together, offering encouragement and camaraderie. The sessions are announced on Instagram @jessicasmith27 and on Run Keeper. Young ones are also benefiting from Jessica’s motivation, having spoken to students at Durham School about her journey, as part of the city’s Local Legends series.

Jessica said: “After a career in the pool I decided to start my running journey this time last year, but I was nervous, and also intimidated by those more advanced than me. However, after taking the first step, supported by others who also enjoyed running, I realised that running is a wonderful opportunity to bring people together. The ASICS ‘Dubai Run with Jessica’ (featured in the Runkeeper app) was created to empower people to take their first step in their running journey without feeling intimidated but instead supported. Running with others is more enjoyable – it’s more than just physical. This DFC community initiative is about using movement for fun, while also prioritising our emotional and mental wellbeing.”

An Ironman triathlon a day for children’s charity

For most of us, completing just one Ironman is a proud achievement that we’d be celebrating for years, but for one Dubai resident, once was just not enough. Ghani Souleymane has committed to completing an Ironman every single day for the duration of the 30-day Challenge, to raise money for Heroes of Hope, a not-for-profit group founded to develop sporting, social and interpersonal skills for people of determination.  Each day starts at sunrise with a 3.8km swim at Kite Beach, followed by a 180km cycle, and culminates with a 42.2km marathon at DXBike into the early hours of the morning. After completing his awe-inspiring 30 days, Ghani will celebrate with the Heroes of Hope athletes and also visit children in Al Jalila Children’s Hospital.

Speaking about his challenge, Ghani said: “No child on earth deserves to suffer from something they are not aware of.” Adding that “through sport we have the power to change lives.” adidas Runners Coach Ghani spends all his free time supporting others and is respected across the Dubai fitness community. You can follow his progress, donate and cheer him on at @ghanisouley on Instagram.

An open water swim from World Islands to Kite Beach 

Ultra marathoner Nico de Corato (or ‘bu Hamdan’ to his Emirati friends) is swapping the land for sea in his latest challenge, in which he will swim the three nautical miles across the sea from World Islands to Kite Beach. The first time that he has taken on an open water challenge of this type, Nico has trained intensely for the feat, which will mark another challenge in an impressive list of athletic achievements. In February, Nico completed an astonishing 200km run from Jebel Jais to Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, which took him 23 hours, the furthest he had ever run in his life. Nico serves as inspiration that even the most seasoned of extreme athletes can still find ways to challenge themselves in new ways this DFC. He will set off from Anantara World Islands at 9am on 25 November, and is hoping to complete the swim within two hours, finishing at Kite Beach. People are welcome to join in and swim the last leg with Nico, from the yellow safety buoys at Kite Beach, to the shore.

“This is the first time I have done an open water swim of this distance, and it will be challenging to keep up the pace, as well as dodging jellyfish,” said Nico. “DFC brings an amazing opportunity to challenge yourself outside of your comfort zone and try something new. 

Cycling Guinness World Record™ for children’s cancer charity

Inspired by his wife’s brave battle with breast cancer, which she thankfully overcame, Dubai resident Jimmy Wright has raised vital funds for families affected by paediatric cancer, by taking on a multi-country bike ride in which he set a new Guinness World Record™. His ride took him on a 600 km route from Saudi Arabia to Ras Al Khaimah, the first time he had ever cycled that distance, beating the previous record time of 1 day 17 hours and 47 minutes, completing the ride in exactly 22 hours. He is still fundraising and has set a target of raising AED 1 million. Speaking about his challenge, Jimmy said that the ride was only a “temporary discomfort” and he found motivation by keeping the children with cancer, and the fact that they are suffering by no choice of their own, in the front of his mind. Jimmy’s story is an inspiring example of how sport can be a vehicle for enormous force for good, and marks a proud moment in the DFC calendar.  Donations will help ease families’ financial strain as a loved one is undergoing cancer treatment. So far Jimmy has raised AED 300K and fundraising is still ongoing.