Sports
Ready to stride: running in Dubai
Fri 23 June 2023
With seaside jogging tracks, desert escapades and community clubs aplenty, Dubai loves a good run.
With seaside jogging tracks, desert escapades and community clubs aplenty, Dubai loves a good run.
Where are Dubai's best running tracks?
Whether you're looking for a scenic seaside jog or a relaxing city sprint, there are plenty of locations to go running in Dubai.
One of the most popular and iconic running spots is the green spongy track on Jumeirah Beach Road. Easy on the legs, the track starts at Burj Al Arab and stretches over 14km, past Kite Beach and over the Dubai Water Canal. There is helpful signage every 100m, so you know how far you’ve travelled and how much further you have to go.
Popular with families and runners alike – serious and part-timers – this venue is also part of Dubai’s most picturesque spots. Bring a towel for a refreshing post-run swim.
Is there a course that's off the beaten track?
A more unusual spot for running in Dubai is Palm Jumeirah. This is a manmade residential, hotel and entertainment complex in the shape of a palm tree, which stretches over 5km out into the Arabian Gulf. There are two routes to choose from – the 4km course up and down the ‘trunk’ that is more leisurely, while the 11km ‘crescent’ route, along the tip of the Palm, is a little more challenging but offers more spectacular scenery.
Where can I combine running and sightseeing?
The 4.5km track at Dubai Marina is very scenic, especially in the winter months. On one side are modern, gleaming skyscrapers, and on the other are views of the waters dotted with luxury yachts. There is no spongy track here, so wear good rubber-soled runners.
If you want to enjoy the wide boardwalk and avoid the crowds, don't run in the late evenings when the masses are out scouting dining options. Aim to go for a run before 9am, or after 8pm for optimum space to stretch your legs.
What are some of Dubai's best parks for running?
There are many leafy spots in Dubai that are perfect for a morning, daytime or evening run. The pick of the lot is Safa Park, which is a short 3.5km stretch, with a nice and spongy earth-red track that is flanked with numerous workout stations along the way. Safa Park lies alongside the Dubai Water Canal. This route is accessible 24 hours a day – appropriate for a city that never sleeps.
At the other end of town, you can find the delightfully green Dubai Creek Park, which has a stunning view of the Dubai skyline. This track takes you through the older parts of the city, in contrast to the more well-known modern structures.
You can also check out Mushrif Park, which has a few challenging hills, the rolling greens of Zabeel Park or the well-equipped Al Barsha Pond Park, close to Mall of the Emirates. Over on Palm Jumeirah, Al Ittihad Park is popular with local residents.
Can I join a local running club in Dubai?
If you don’t want to run alone, there are plenty of fun and friendly groups that meet and go running in Dubai. The Desert Road Runners, Dubai’s oldest running club (founded in 1989), meets multiple times a week in various locations to prepare for events throughout the region.
Dubai Creek Striders is the largest running group, and meets most weeknights across the city. If your focus is endurance running, try Super Sports ABRaS Athletics. This club has many of the UAE’s top distance runners.
Some of the fastest-growing clubs in the region are the ones initiated by sportswear brands such as the Nike Run Club or Adidas Runners. The Nike Run Club is a well-established group with a large UAE following, that has witnessed the likes of Olympic star Mo Farah join in for a casual run.
The Adidas Runners community is a tight-knit group that launched in 2016 and has grown quickly to offer weekly social runs, sprints and yoga sessions, and the occasional destination run followed by a meal. Both groups are free to join and open to residents and tourists alike.
What are Dubai's most popular running events?
There are many events for running in Dubai’s sporting calendar, from 10km fun runs to marathons. For instance, the Dubai Creek Striders Half Marathon takes place in the beautiful locale of Dubai Creek and Dubai Marathon sees runners from all over the world participate.
If you’re more of a casual runner, then the perfect event is the Nike+ Run Club Dubai 10K, which witnesses thousands of enthusiasts taking over the Downtown area.
The first annual edition of the Dubai Run took place in 2019 and saw a record-breaking number of runners take over Dubai's main highway, Sheikh Zayed Road, as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge. Check out Dubai Calendar to see which sports events are coming up.