DUBAI // The first step to a healthier lifestyle for many people begins with lacing up a pair of old running shoes and jogging a few laps around their neighbourhood or local park.
Running is the simplest and most accessible form of exercise, and its popularity can be seen in the number of community running clubs springing up in recent years.
Often backed by major sportswear brands such as Nike, Reebok and Adidas, and promoted online or through gyms, they are helping to inspire joggers to take their hobby more seriously by adding a competitive edge.
First-time runner Randy Reblora, 35, joined a club in April 2012 and went on to run his first long-distance race almost a year later, competing in the RAK Half Marathon.
“The coaches taught and trained us to become advanced runners through combinations of high-intensity training and run sessions,” said Mr Reblora, from the Philippines.
“That made us improve our 10-kilometre and 21km times and eventually finish a marathon event.”
He has since finished three marathons, two of them in Dubai, and the Wadi Bih 72km Ultramarathon.
“The club has encouraged me to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle,” Mr Reblora said. “From being a normal runner, it has helped me become a marathon and ultra-marathon finisher and I’m very grateful for that.
“I have since levelled up my love for running to triathlon and I consider the recent Cobra Half Ironman Philippines (1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21km run) in August this year as one of my most memorable experiences in sport.”
Running clubs help to provide a safe, comfortable social environment where everyone can take part, said Enisa Glavovic, co-founder and general manager of health website noviplus.ae.
“People feel a sense of belonging, which in a big, busy city, is not always easy to find,” Ms Glavovic said.
“In addition to this the quality of training offered is very high level, helping you to prepare for coming marathons and so on, further making the clubs a desirable community to be a part of.”
Tom Wolfe, who coaches at the Nike Run Club in Dubai three times a week, said having people of all sizes and abilities running with you helps to make the thought of exercise less daunting for beginners.
“Getting started can be daunting yet we know that running as part of a crew can make the difference between quitting and success,” Mr Wolfe said.
“We provide members with the tools, support and collective strength to transform their running from reluctant plodder to becoming a confident, strong runner and we are there to support them through their fitness journey.”
Last year, up to 50 people regularly attended each of the club’s sessions, with some runs attracting as many as 100.
“We celebrate ambition, hard work and the achievement of our runners rather than the fastest or strongest,” said Mr Wolfe.
“We know that there are so many barriers, so many excuses and so many reasons why people can’t run or train, so we provide a collective energy and passion for running and human movement which shakes off the dogmatic thinking that continues to dominate the fitness industry.”
Mira Nader, 26, an office manager from Lebanon, is typical of the type of person who signs up to a club. A keen runner in her home country, she found her fitness levels started to flag when she moved to the UAE.
“I used to run in Lebanon once or twice a week but I haven’t done that at all in Dubai,” said Ms Nader.
“I’ve been wanting to run since I moved to Dubai four years ago but I don’t enjoying running on my own much. I’ve never participated in running clubs before.
“It’s something about the energy of people running together that I see myself drawn to.
“It’s motivational and challenges your limits and it’s way better than running alone, in my opinion.”
She says the fact that the club is free makes it a great opportunity.
“When something like this is offered for free, you really have no excuse,” Ms Nader said. “It’s like an open invitation for anyone to go running and get expert coaching.”
mswan@thenational.ae
