Get ready for the return of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2024. Registration is now open for this exciting month-long event. It starts on Saturday, October 26 and continues until Sunday, November 24.

Participate in this free 30-day health and fitness event, aimed at making Dubai a leading active city globally. This time, registrants will have the chance to win a trip for two guests to Dubai, with Emirates flights and hotel accommodations included.

This year introduces several new activities, including a cycling-themed RTA Al Warqa’a Park 30×30 Fitness Village and the brand-new Dubai Municipality Zabeel Park 30×30 Fitness Village. The Zabeel Park Fitness Village will focus on running and cycling, featuring a spinning area, running clubs, cricket pitches, a tough mudder obstacle course, and a main stage for events. The fifth Dubai Ride is set for Sunday, November 10, while the sixth Dubai Run will draw hundreds of thousands of runners on Sunday, November 24.

Register now at www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com

A new beach, only for women, has been announced in Sharjah under the orders of the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. The 500-meter beach is located in the Lulu’iya area of ​​Khorfakkan and will offer complete privacy for women. The beach will also have other amenities like a cafe, a medical clinic, and a prayer room. 

Other than this beach, Sharjah has the Sharjah Ladies Club beach and in 2023, Sheikh Dr Sultan announced the development of women’s only beaches in Kalba and at Al Hamariya Beach.  In May this year, the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed launched the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which includes designating new beaches for only women.

In further orders, the Sharjah Ruler directed the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking Al Bardi 6 and Al Batha areas in Khorfakkan city.

Speaking on the Sharjah’s Direct Line radio programme, Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of RTA Sharjah said that the new bridge will help the movement of residents between the two areas.

He also said the RTA will implement modifications to the internal roads in the Hayawa area.

Dubai Municipality has completed the development of the UAE’s longest mountain trails, which features 21 cycling routes spanning 53 kilometres, 17 walking trails across 33 kilometres, 9 wooden bridges and 14 rest stops and service facilities.

The Hatta Mountain Trails are one of various projects being implemented by Dubai Municipality to establish Hatta as a leading tourist destination in the region.

The trails are divided into four colour-coded levels of difficulty: Green – with four tracks for cycling and four for walking; Blue – with six tracks for cycling and three for walking; Red – with eight routes for cycling and six for walking; and finally, Black – with three trails for cycling and four for walking.

During the project’s first phase, Dubai Municipality implemented a comprehensive development plan in a record time of 10 months. This involved the expansion and maintenance of existing hiking and mountain bike trails and stabilising the soil in areas to improve the experience for visitors using the trails.

Comprehensive maintenance was also carried out on all existing bridges, with damaged ones replaced.

The second phase included constructing rest stops and service facilities along trails and other locations and installing 176 signposts and 650 directional signs to help cyclists enjoy a safe and distinctive experience on the Hatta Mountain Trails.

The Hatta Mountain Trails pass through a variety of different terrains and landscapes, including rocky paths, mountainous areas, rugged peaks and valleys, offering panoramic views and the opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities to enjoy Hatta’s unique natural beauty.