After booking online about 6 weeks ago, I took the opportunity to enter a far off race in The United Arab Emirates - the Dubai Creek Half on 9th December
As I was visiting my daughter and son-in-law for a pre Xmas getogether in Dubai, I thought, well, why not. My wife and I flew into Abu Dhabi Airport Wednesday evening and were taxied back to Dubai by our invitees. They both live and work in Dubai. After a late supper and some well earned shut eye, Thursday was already upon us, being pre race day. My daughter Kelly, had already picked up my race number and goodie bag the previous day. My entry fee was 62 dirham and when converted amounted to about £12 I thought this was a bargain as the Goodie Bag turned out to be a posh small rucksack stacked full of surprises. Not only did it contain my race number and chip, it also contained a small sweat towel, shoe bag, money pouch, membership to a health club for the day, couple of gels, 3 isotonic drinks, drinks bottle, wicked running vest with the appropriate logo, bottle of mouth wash, pot of Vaseline, 4 packets of biscuits and a packet of spaghetti. The only thing missing was a cuddly toy.
5am Friday morning and it’s off to the other side of town into a large park adjoining a creek. This was the start and the finish. Most of the 1500 competitors had already arrived it seemed, as I approached the athletes village, as it was heaving with bodies all colours and shapes. It was a chipped run from start to finish so, no need to rush off the start line. They sent the runners off in batches anyway. With the temperature reaching about 16 degrees, I plumped for the one hour fifty group.
We are off and the sun is trying its best to show its face. After about 15 minutes we approach our first bridge. Running over it, we have a wonderful view of the currant bun peeping above the skyline adjacent the “Burj Khalifa” (the tallest building in the world) much to the delight of all the runners.
The course had been designed in a figure of eight, so we had to negotiate the large river at least 3 times. At the top of the course, was an underpass below the river which transpired to be just half a kilometre before the halfway mark. This took us past the dock area which had its usual group of workers and shipments ready to be loaded and transported.
Our next couple of K sent us through a Souk where there were quite a few sellers setting up stalls for the onslaught. They all seemed to be enjoying the early morning running spectacle. Still on the dockside, the marshals kept our spirits up by the usual gestures and shouting.
Now feeling very tired approaching 19 K and thinking I might scrape under the 2 hour mark. I reach the 20K flag and the watch showing one hour 51 so will I creep under the 2 hour?
I’ll put you out of your suspense and tell you that I did make it under the 2 hours but only by the skin of my teeth. Not surprisingly, the winner happened to be of Ethiopian origin and sailed in at a very comfortably 1 hour 15 mins 48 with a Saudi guy in at 1 16 25 then 4 brits followed in all under 1hr 20min
A great experience to be had and a well organised event to boot. A big thanks to Dubai Creek Striders
It’s about 25c, now off to the beach, bye
Tony Sheridan
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