Struggling to stay the pace

Zoe Griffiths

• Last Updated: November 24. 2009 5:27PM UAE / November 24. 2009 1:27PM GMT

Runners take part in the Abu Dhabi Striders half marathon and 10km race which set off from the Abu Dhabi Health and Equestrian Club. Nicole Hill / The National

Haile Gebrselassie and Sammy Wanjiru are among the world class international runners heading for the Emirates this winter, but there is far more to the sport in this country than attracting the elite.

Gebrselassie, the world record holder, is expected to be the first over the line at the Dubai Marathon on January 22 barring retirement through illness or injury, but he will be followed by more than a thousand amateur runners taking part in the marathon, half-marathon, 10km and 3km fun run.

Two weeks earlier, on January 7, the Kenyan Olympic marathon champion and half marathon world record holder Wanjiru will head the field competing for a US$300,000 (Dh1.1 million) top prize in the Zayed International Half Marathon at the Yas Marina Circuit.

In February the Ras al Khaimah Half Marathon will again see professional and amateur athletes competing in the race and team relay challenge.

In addition to these events, which bring in professional athletes to raise their profile, there are several running clubs operating throughout the Emirates.

On Saturday 230 amateur runners turned out for the Mirdif Milers’ Donut 10 in Mushrif Park, Dubai.

Organised by Dubai’s Mirdif Milers amateur running club, the number of athletes taking part in the 10 mile race has grown steadily since its inception.

“It’s only been going three years, but we were inundated with entries this year,” said club member Martin Scadden.

“We had 95 runners the first year and about 135 finishers last time.

“We are seeing an increase of entries in a lot of amateur events at the moment. We’ve noticed a lot of growth in our club, too. We started with three or four runners in 2001/02, but have about 25-30 regulars attending our Monday night runs.”

Dubai-based Thomas Obio claimed victory in the race, sprinting home in just under an hour to win the club’s Gold Donut medal.

More than 300 amateur athletes set off from the capital’s Golf and Equestrian Club for the Abu Dhabi Striders’ half marathon and 10km race last weekend.

Mounir Belkebir, 26, set the pace in the half marathon, finishing in a time of 1hr 18mins 29secs while Jeremy Curran, from Dubai, made quick work of the 10km course to claim the shorter distance title in 36mins 26secs.

While amateur clubs report an increase of entries for events – more than 100 additional runners signed up for Abu Dhabi Striders’ 2009 event than took part in 2008 – clubs like the Striders have struggled to find support from the authorities.

“We would like the government to give more endorsement towards amateur events,” said Abu Dhabi Striders’ committee member Chris Collier.

“We have seen support for professional events, but it would be good to see more support for amateur enthusiasts. More events for Joe Bloggs to get involved in.”

Clubs looking to increase the size of their events and make use of the streets across the Emirates pay up to Dh45,000 to authorities – money that goes towards policing the event and which represents a substantial amount for amateur clubs.

“With the increase in people’s awareness and the UAE Government’s recognition that exercise is a good thing, we are seeing a greater interest and participation in amateur events,” added Collier.

“The more amateur events there are the more people will get involved. If there was more endorsement we could do more, and bigger events.”

Taking part in an amateur race may seem daunting to part time or novice runners, but Collier insists it need not be. Collier has been taking part in the Abu Dhabi Striders’ weekly Wednesday evening run since 2003.

“You just need to start small and don’t feel you have to be competitive. It is always good to have a target. It gives you inspiration if in five weeks you think you’ll have to run [a race],” he says.

“Abu Dhabi Striders has a very big range of abilities. We have people who join us on a Wednesday and just walk, but we also have a few Ironman competitors. We encourage everyone to come along.”

Abu Dhabi Striders pace the streets of the capital. The Dubai Road Runners, The Creek Side Striders, ABRaS Athletics Club and Mirdif Milers all run their way around Dubai, and a branch of the Road Runners club also operates in Al Ain.

“Running is a great way to get fit. It’s also a cheap way of getting exercise,” Collier added.

“The numbers of people running with us has grown a lot over the years.

“A lot of it is down to people having much more awareness for the need to be healthy and get fit.”

Next in the amateur calendar is the Dubai Creek Striders’ annual half marathon on December 11, where a record 850 runners are expected to take part.

sports@thenational.ae