There are two types of runners: Those who love to run on a treadmill at a gym and those who prefer to run outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful sceneries. 

We know that running isn’t for everyone but if you’re looking to switch up your workout routine or if you’re training for one of the many running events in Dubai – here are the best places to run in Dubai..

1. Dubai Autodrome – 2.6km

Head over to Dubai Autodrome every Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm and enjoy an evening run with free entrance. The running track in Dubai Autodrome is suitable for those who want to enjoy a short and sweet 2.6km run with gradual to steep gradients. Since first-time runners always visit every Wednesday, you don’t have to feel pressured to finish fast. This is the best place to run or prepare for the running events in Dubai, and socialize with others to boost your confidence!

2. Al Mamzar Beach – 4km

Located in the outskirts of Dubai towards Sharjah, Al Mamzar Beach offers a 4km running track for those who want to run in less crowded places. Entrance only costs 5 dhs. and you get to experience a relaxing run by the beach. The place is also great for families who want to spend time together after a run. Families can swim, grill, have fun at playgrounds and visit the coffee shops and restaurants by the beach. Training here would be great thanks to its amazing ambience. 

3. Burj Park – 5km 

Burj park has a 5km running track you can visit with your furry friends and is one of the top pet-friendly places in Dubai. Not only that, you can take cool pictures as you run around the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. After a run, you can sit back and unwind by watching the famous Dubai fountain or go shopping at Dubai Mall. 

4. Dubai Canal – 6.5km

Go for a run at Dubai Canal and be mesmerized by the iconic skyline over the water of the canal. The running track is wide which makes it a lovely spot for running, walking and even biking. There is a waterfall cascading from the bridge under Sheikh Zayed Road and there are many cafes towards business bay. For a more intense running experience, access the five pedestrian bridges to add more kilometres to your workout. 

5. Palm Jumeirah Crescent – 11km 

The Palm Jumeirah Crescent will have your blood pumping with its 11km running track starting from One and Only The Palm (west side of the Palm) to Rixos The Palm (east side of the Palm).  You can also pass by Atlantis The Palm which is one of the most famous hotels in Dubai. If you want to sweat out a little more, you can add 4km by running up and down the trunk of the Palm. This place is also great for those who are preparing for a half marathon, just run back and forth and you’ll be able to enjoy a 22km run.

6. Kite Beach – 14km

For those who are determined to challenge themselves, do an entire lap at Kite Beach to complete a good 14km run. Kite Beach offers one of the best city views in Dubai and a glimpse of the luxurious Burj Al Arab. After your training, this spot is also great for other outdoor activities such as  swimming, picnics and kayaking. 

Want to improve your running performance for the upcoming Mai Dubai City Half Marathon? Multiple studies suggest that exercising can help you run better and faster rather than just spending more time running. Here are the best exercises to help you prepare for the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon.

Warm Up For Runners

Walkout

If you want to get your blood flowing, start with a whole-body dynamic warm-up. Walkout exercise will help stretch out your lower body such as the hamstrings, calves, glutes, and lower back. This exercise will make your muscles feel good before moving forward to other exercises. You can also do this before the start of the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon race to help prepare for the race!

Toy Soldier 

Increase your body temperature and heart rate by trying the Toy Soldier exercise. This is a great exercise to warm up your hamstrings, quadriceps and glutes. This also warms up the backup of your upper legs which is crucial in running. 

Strength Training For Running 

Barbell Squats

Barbell squats is a multi-joint exercise that builds body strength especially in your legs which affect your overall running performance. When your leg muscles are stronger, you’re less likely to get an injury. This is also an incredible exercise to prepare and strengthen your core for the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon.

Press Ups 

To increase core stability and build strength in your chest, try doing some press-ups. This exercise is also effective in improving your mobility through the shoulder joints. By working on your upper body, you’ll be able to run more efficiently during the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon.

Lunges 

Lunges have multiple benefits when it comes to running. It activates your muscles to develop balance and coordination by working on your spine and core. Lunges also provide deep stretch for the hip flexor muscles.

Cardio Exercises without Running

We know that running in Dubai can be very hard due to the hot weather. This is why we suggest trying other cardio exercises besides running to help you prepare for the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon.

Jumping Rope

Jumping rope is a great running alternative if you still want to do cardio exercise. Research claims that a 10-minute rope-skipping workout is just as effective as a 30-minute jogging regimen. If you went to the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon, you might have noticed that

Indoor Cycling 

Another running alternative is indoor cycling. Cycling develops stamina and endurance without damaging your leg muscles. It’s a great low impact cardio workout that can help improve your running performance during the half marathon race.

Brisk Walking

If you really don’t feel like running. Then we suggest sticking with brisk walking. There are a lot of places in Dubai where you can enjoy brisk walking. You can also read our blog on the best running tracks in Dubai to see where runners are also welcome to do brisk walking.

Cool Down 

Child’s Pose

Does stretching improve half marathon performance? Yes. Just like warm-ups, post stretches are just as important. Post stretches help your body remove any excess lactic acid out of your muscles to avoid soreness. One of the best cool-down stretches for runners is the child’s pose as it gently stretches your whole body to release any tension.

Try to be consistent with your workout routine and you’ll be able to improve your running performance soon! The Mai Dubai City Half Marathon will be back this coming 30th of October 2022! Register now to get 15% off discount on your ticket.

Want to join a race event in Dubai this 2022? Check out the best running events in the city below: 

Mai Dubai City Half Marathon 

The Mai Dubai City Half Marathon is one of the most popular running events in Dubai. The next Mai Dubai City Half Marathon will be held on the 30th of October. Register now. You can also join our 5km and 10km races. To get more details about the next Mai Dubai City Half Marathon event, follow us at @promosevensports on Instagram.

Mai Dubai Community Run

The Mai Dubai Community Run previously called the Skechers Performance Run has 2.5 km, 5km, and 10km races available and it’s a family-friendly event which is great if you want to bring your family with you. The first race of the series will be back on November 2022.

Bloomberg Square Mile Relay 

The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay was held in DIFC last 9th of February 2022. The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is the only corporate race in the world and anyone can enter as a team of 10 for a great team-building activity. 

Great news! We know you’ve all been waiting for the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon to come back so here it is! It’s official, the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon is confirmed to come back this 30th of October 2022! We know that running a half marathon always require dedication, commitment and preparation. If you’re not a regular marathon runner, here’s our guide to the do’s and don’ts when preparing for a half marathon in Dubai. 

#1: Don’t overtrain for the half marathon.

Should you run as fast and as far as you can every day to prepare for the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon? Big no. If you overtrain, you’ll increase the likelihood of becoming drained and injured. Start training months before the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon so you can slowly increase your mileage and duration. Remember, running a half marathon is not just simply running. It’s a combination of running, proper nutrition and strength work. It’s important to listen to your body and set aside some time for rest days to help your body recover. 

#2. Don’t change your diet drastically.

Some people think that losing weight before a marathon will make them lighter and run faster. As a result, they cut too many calories and change their diet drastically. That causes a big problem since overdoing your diet will only negatively affect your health and your performance. Plan your meals to ensure that you have a well-balanced diet and don’t forget to treat yourself from time to time. 

#3. Don’t skimp on sleep.

Sorry to break it to you but if you aren’t getting enough sleep, you still won’t be able to do your best in the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon no matter how hard you’ve trained for it. We know you’re tired of hearing this but always aim for 7-9 hours of sleep! Why? This is because our body restores itself when we are asleep. Successful athletes prioritize sleep as it aids recovery and not only that, it also rebuilds muscles and cells.

#4. Do consider getting a health check-up.

If you’ve never run a half marathon in Dubai before, schedule a check-up with a doctor. Running a half marathon is no joke. It’s crucial to check if you have no underlying health problems that could jeopardize your overall health. If you have a heart or lung condition, we suggest joining a shorter run instead. The Mai Dubai City Half Marathon also have 5km and 10km races available during the same day.

#5. Do buy new running shoes and outfits. 

If you don’t have any running shoes or attire, buy it at least 2 weeks before the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon. This will give you enough time to try and ensure that what you’ll wear during the half marathon is appropriate for running long distances. We also highly advise that never try out any new shoes and clothes during the day of the half marathon race as it may lead to injuries, pain and discomfort. 

#6. Do have fun!

It’s easy to compare yourself with other runners and get overwhelmed by all the people during the actual event. Just remember that as long as you have proper preparation, you’ll be alright! We know it can get intimidating to run with others but focus on yourself and enjoy it! Besides, The Mai Dubai City Half Marathon is here to ensure that everyone is having a fun and memorable experience.

Want to join a race event in Dubai this 2022? Check out the best running events in the city below: 

Mai Dubai City Half Marathon 

The Mai Dubai City Half Marathon is one of the most popular running events in Dubai. The next Mai Dubai City Half Marathon will be held on the 30th of October. Register now. You can also join our 5km and 10km races. To get more details about the next Mai Dubai City Half Marathon event, follow us at @promosevensports on Instagram.

Mai Dubai Community Run

The Mai Dubai Community Run previously called the Skechers Performance Run has 2.5 km, 5km, and 10km races available and it’s a family-friendly event which is great if you want to bring your family with you. The first race of the series will be back on November 12th 2022.

Bloomberg Square Mile Relay 

The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay was held in DIFC last 9th of February 2022. The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is the only corporate race in the world and anyone can enter as a team of 10 for a great team-building activity. 

Just a few days left until the race one of the the last series of the Skechers Performance Run and we can’t contain our excitement any longer! Have you registered yet? If not, here are 6 reasons why you need to join the Skechers Performance Run. 

1. Meet New People

Joining the Skechers Performance Run is a great opportunity to meet new people! Imagine the friendships you can build when you get the chance to socialize with people who have the same interests as you. We know it’s always easier to join a running event with a friend but if you don’t have anyone to come with, don’t worry because runners in Dubai are extremely friendly with each other. 

2. Enjoy The Beautiful Weather

If you didn’t get the chance to join the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon last October because the weather was too hot for you to handle, now is your chance to join another running event in Dubai. The Skechers Performance Run will be held on the 19th of November this coming Friday. The weather in Dubai is now getting better as we get more sunny yet windy days which is perfect for running. 

3. Great Family Bonding Activity 

The Skechers Performance Run is open to anyone ages 6 to 99 years old! This means that you can bring your whole family with you to the Skechers Performance Run for a fun yet challenging family activity. Running can be an extremely fun way for families to work together as a team and it can also massively help reduce stress. 

4. Take Your Fitness Game To The Next Level

November in Dubai is all about fitness! Everyone is taking part in different fitness activities this month. If you haven’t joined any fitness or running events yet, it’s still not too late! You can still register at the Skechers Performance Run and you can choose between 2.5km, 5km, and 10km races. 

5. Sense of Accomplishment 

Many runners claim that running gives them a sense of accomplishment. Imagine how it would feel like when you cross the finish during the Skechers Performance Run. A lot of runners say that finishing a race also boosts their self-confidence. Not only that, but you’ll also receive a medal and finisher t-shirt which would look awesome on your social media feed. 

6. It’s Fun!

Just imagine how fun it would be at the Skechers Performance Run? The Skechers Performance Run has 2.5 km, 5km, and 10km races available and it’s a family-friendly event which is great if you want to bring your family with you. The final race will take place on the 26th of March. Register here. 

Can’t make it on the 26th of March? Check out some of the best running events in Dubai:

Mai Dubai City half Marathon 

The Mai Dubai City Half Marathon is one of the most popular running events in Dubai. The next Mai Dubai City Half Marathon will take place on the 30th of October 2022! To get more updates on the Mai Dubai City Half Marathon event, follow us at @promosevensports on Instagram.

Bloomberg Square Mile Relay 

The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay was last held on 9th of February 2022. The Bloomberg Square Mile Relay is the only corporate race in the world and anyone can enter as a team of 10 for a great team-building activity.