More than 700 runners and cyclists joined the popular community races organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) in Al Ain over the weekend.
The cyclists, 200 in numbers, competed across three different distances of over 65km, 53km and 37km. The races flagged off from the Wadi Adventure region and finish at the summit of Jebel Hafeet.
The runners in the Abu Dhabi Sports Channel sponsored event also competed across three different distances of 2.5km, 5km and 10km, around the Al Ain Zoo area.
Canadian David Williams claimed the men’s 65km race in a time of 1hr 48min 21.48sec. Jay Tolentino of the Philippines (1:50:08.42) and Swiss Johan Hesselsoe (1:52:02.82) filled in second and third spots respectively.
Meg Smith was winner of the women’s race. The South African completed the 65km distance in 2:21:52.03 followed by Aoife Kearney of Ireland (2:24:12.76) and Carla Leonor of the Philippines (2: 40:11.69).
Andrea Ferrario bagged the first place in the men’s 10km run. The Italian clocked 42min 43sec to win from Partha Hegde of Indian (44.21) and Pakistani Imdad Ali Shah (44.30).
Clare McCabe of Britain (47:24) took the women’s race from Hazar Al Ruzaiqi (51.26) and Lucinda Burdett (51.46).
Khalid Al Qubaisi, ADSC’s Head of Community Sports Department, said the events were a continuation of the community races aimed in encouraging and improving the sports council’s “healthy lifestyle” program.
“It’s about creating a culture to exercise and participate in community sports in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra,” he said.
“We would like to thank everyone involved and supporting this initiative including our partners, sponsors and the Al Ain Zoo for hosting the running events.”
