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
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eric%20Broug%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thames%20%26amp%3B%20Hudson%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20336%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20September%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe – to Real Madrid in 2017/18 – €180 million (Dh770.4m – if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba – to Manchester United in 2016/17 – €105m
3. Gareth Bale – to Real Madrid in 2013/14 – €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo – to Real Madrid in 2009/10 – €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain – to Juventus in 2016/17 – €90m
6. Neymar – to Barcelona in 2013/14 – €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku – to Manchester United in 2017/18 – €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez – to Barcelona in 2014/15 – €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria – to Manchester United in 2014/15 – €75m
10. James Rodriguez – to Real Madrid in 2014/15 – €75m
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
THE RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Alnawar, Connor Beasley (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: Raniah, Noel Garbutt, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 2,200m
Winner: Saarookh, Richard Mullen, Ana Mendez
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Rated Conditions Dh125,000 1,600m
Winner: RB Torch, Tadhg O’Shea, Eric Lemartinel
7pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: MH Wari, Antonio Fresu, Elise Jeane
7.30pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m
Winner: Mailshot, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It’s a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Benefits of first-time home buyers’ scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20UAE%20men%E2%80%99s%20cricketer%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EWhen%20he%20debuted%20against%20Bangladesh%20aged%2016%20years%20and%20314%20days%2C%20he%20became%20the%20youngest%20ever%20to%20play%20for%20the%20men%E2%80%99s%20senior%20team.%20He%20broke%20the%20record%20set%20by%20his%20World%20Cup%20squad-mate%2C%20Alishan%20Sharafu%2C%20of%2017%20years%20and%2044%20days.%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20wicket-taker%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20taking%20the%20wicket%20of%20Bangladesh%E2%80%99s%20Litton%20Das%20on%20debut%20in%20Dubai%2C%20Aayan%20became%20the%20youngest%20male%20cricketer%20to%20take%20a%20wicket%20against%20a%20Full%20Member%20nation%20in%20a%20T20%20international.%3Cbr%3E%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYoungest%20in%20T20%20World%20Cup%20history%3F%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAayan%20does%20not%20turn%2017%20until%20November%2015%20%E2%80%93%20which%20is%20two%20days%20after%20the%20T20%20World%20Cup%20final%20at%20the%20MCG.%20If%20he%20does%20play%20in%20the%20competition%2C%20he%20will%20be%20its%20youngest%20ever%20player.%20Pakistan%E2%80%99s%20Mohammed%20Amir%2C%20who%20was%2017%20years%20and%2055%20days%20when%20he%20played%20in%202009%2C%20currently%20holds%20the%20record.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gifts exchanged
- King Charles – replica of President Eisenhower Sword
- Queen Camilla – Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
- Donald Trump – hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
- Melania Trump – personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag
