Dubai’s main road, Sheikh Zayed Road, will be filled with thousands of pro and amateur runners taking part in the Dubai Run this weekend.
On Sunday November 24, fitness enthusiasts will bring a splash of colour along two routes as the city streets transform into a race track once again.
And while the race is on, the city’s busiest road will be closed to drivers in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The RTA have announced that selected roads will be closed from 3.30am until 10.30am on Sunday November 24.
This will include Sheikh Zayed Road between the Trade Centre Roundabout and the second bridge. Al Sukook Street will also be closed between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Bousra Street.
تزامنًا مع فعالية تحدي دبي للجري، تعلمكم #هيئة_الطرق_و_المواصلات بإغلاق الشوارع المذكورة أعلاه يوم الأحد 24/11/2024 من الساعة 03:30 فجرًا ولغاية الساعة 10:30 صباحًا. كما ننصحكم بالتخطيط لرحلاتكم مسبقًا واستخدام الطرق البديلة لتجنّب التأخير.@DubaiPoliceHQ @DXBFitChallenge pic.twitter.com/0pARcgrpN0
— RTA (@rta_dubai) November 21, 2024
Lower Financial Centre Road between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road will temporarily close, as well as one-way from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard.
If you need to head out and about, the RTA have advised alternative routes including taking Financial Centre Road (upper level), Za’abeel Palace Street, Al Mustaqbal Road, Al Wasl Road, Al Khail Road and Al Bada’a Street.
Runners will tackle either a 5km or 10km route along Sheikh Zayed Road which will take in some of the most iconic landmarks in Dubai.
The first runners will set off from 4am and the final ones will leave the starting line at either 8am for the 5km route or 7.30am for the 10km route.
This isn’t the first time Sheikh Zayed Road was closed to drivers this month having previously closed as part of the Dubai Ride cycling event on Sunday November 10.
The two events are part of the wider Dubai Fitness Challenge, which aims to encourage people to live a more active lifestyle, with the Dubai Run being the spectacular closing event.
The good news is that the Dubai Metro will continue to operate, meaning that you can make the most of public transport if you need to get to the area.
The Dubai Ride and Dubai Run routes
Free to enter, Dubai Run and Dubai Ride are a once-a-year chance to run or cycle along Sheikh Zayed Road.
For Dubai Run, the 5km route begins on Sheikh Zayed Road near Museum of the Future, passes the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Opera and ends near Dubai Mall.
A longer 10km route also starts near Museum of the Future, crosses Dubai Canal Bridge loops along Sheikh Zayed Road and finishes near DIFC Gate.
Last year, Sheikh Zayed Road was closed in both directions from the Trade Centre Roundabout to the 2nd Interchange.
Lower Financial Centre Street and the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Road were also closed.
For Dubai Ride, there is the choice of a 4km family-friendly route through Downtown Dubai or a 12km ride along Sheikh Zayed Road with starting points at Museum of The Future, Al Satwa, Coca-Cola Arena, Business Bay and Lower Financial Street.
If you fancy taking part in Dubai Run, registration is still available.
Sun Nov 24. dubaifitnesschallenge.com.
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