This can happen only in Dubai, isn’t it? The World’s first ever ‘Home Marathon’ will happen in Dubai on Friday, 10 April. The event is a collaboration between Dubai Sports Council, ASICS Middle East and 5:30 Run club. The initiative is part of the sports council’s ‘Be Fit, Be Safe’ and #stayhome campaigns. The home marathon will give residents the opportunity to stay fit even when inside their homes.
What’s It?
For the first time in history, Dubai will host a marathon at home. The event will witness 749 runners representing 62 nationalities- who will will turn their homes into a marathon 42.195 km arena. Covering a distance of 42.195km, the Marathon at Home is open to people of all ages and abilities. Apart from participants in the UAE, the event is also open to runners from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan.
A set of advice and preparation methods provided by the coach Chris Bone to all the participants of the Home Marathon, which will take place on Friday, April 10. pic.twitter.com/fWulgB3Fe4
— Dubai Sports Council (@DubaiSC) April 7, 2020
Runners can register through www.530run.ae website. Currently, there are 526 are males and 223 females who have signed up for the event. The youngest participant is 18, while the oldest is 65 years old. The event will take place between 8am and 6pm on Friday, UAE time, with a 10-hour time cap. Participants can make their own running course, but running on a treadmill or other gym equipment is strictly prohibited. Additionally, running outside the house is not allowed.
What Else?
Participants must have a fully charged smartwatch or smartphone on them, with the Strava app installed and activated. They can connect to the ‘Marathon at Home’ group on Strava and stay connected. The app will then detect their movement and will assist in keeping track of their timing and distance traveled.
Plenty of exciting prizes are up for grabs! Winners will receive a certificate from ASICSME and 5:30 Run, an ASICS t-shirt and a finisher medal. The top three male and female finishers will get a running gear kit by ASICS, an entry ticket to the Moscow Marathon, taking place this September, and a finisher medal. The top 10 finishers will receive 10 EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) functional training sessions from Vertexfitness.