While Running Is Not The Kind Of Thing That...

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

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Posted:  Monday, August 28
Runner:  Geoffrey Cudmore

While running is not the kind of thing that most "sane" people do when it is 50 degrees °C, the United Arab Emirates does give you something that my native Northern Ontario (Canada) doesn't, and that is 12 months a year of shorts and T-shirt running (even if this time of year it is inside on an air-conditioned treadmill at one of the health clubs, or at night, when it gets down to a "cool" 28 °C). In the United Arab Emirates capital city of Abu Dhabi, the favorite runs are along the "Corniche", a 14km stretch of roadway, paths, palm trees, beaches, gardens and fountains, along the top of the island on the Arabian Gulf. It is flat, very flat, so the more energetic runners run the steps of several of the large fountains along the route, or leave the walkway for a stretch of sand running on the beautiful white beaches. For the last three years, the Corniche has been the sight of the annual "Terry Fox 10km run & walk", part of the world-wide series of runs to raise fund for innovative cancer research, and is part of the route of the "Abu Dhabi marathon". Along the east side of the island, there is also the "New Corniche" which is another stretch of walkways, parks, gardens and fountains, which stretches about 10km along "mangrove swamps" that have become a stopping place for many species of migratory birds. There are at least two "hash" running clubs: one based on the Island and the other on the mainland. These are non competitive social running clubs, some people say... "drinkers with running problems". There is also the Abu Dhabi Striders Running Club, which is very competitive.

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