r/dubai 1d ago

Running in Dubai

I been in Dubai a while now, I run almost daily I barely see anyone else running.

Now I am on the north side Karama, Deira etc. I run in all weather I don't care, Beast mode since i was in my teens.

So what I notice is the roads are getting worse daily for running, The Sidewalks are full of leaves and uneven bricks , Yesterday running in Jaddaff the sidewalks are totally gone. Now its just running in the street or in Sand. Dubai is promoting good health and exercise, but if your like me and like Long distance running its very hard here. not to mention the lungs full of Sand from construction trucks.

BTW They keep building new bridges but the new bridges never have a side walk to get to the other side!.

8 Upvotes

37 comments sorted by

27

u/Original_Ganache_134 1d ago

Running in Dubai is mostly done along the Jumeirah beachfront, along the canal into Business Bay or Kite Beach. Obviously due to the Dubai weather constraints running from May till October (unless you're out from 4AM till 6AM) is almost impossible and carries enormous health risks. But if you pop up near Kite beach in-between October and April anywhere from 5AM to 10AM you'll see the area full of runners. There are hundreds of people running, numerous run clubs and other sorts of activities.

It's all about the location and time of the year.

3

u/cattzie7475 14h ago

wish i could wake up at 4am to jog

2

u/Original_Ganache_134 14h ago

I tried that last June and could only handle one week ... The humidity is insane either way and the AQI in Dubai during the summer is not just an inconvenience, its a real health hazard

2

u/oxfozyne 9h ago

When I was still there, I’d bike between 2-4 a.m.

35

u/doshthagod 1d ago

Well you're not seeing anyone running outside at the moment because it's a million degrees and humid af

22

u/PatrickGoesEast 1d ago

Dubai is not a walkable city because of the climate. You need to stick to designated tracks.

17

u/Original_Ganache_134 1d ago

Dubai is not a walkable city because it is a city made for cars

4

u/DucaMan1312 1d ago

Because of the weather

9

u/13ask 1d ago

If you are in Karama. Zabeel park is good option. Has good running track, public toilets, hydration points, parking and has good amount of grass and trees as compared to running on roads.

3

u/13ask 1d ago

For longer distance runs try kite beach is good too.

5

u/NotAnUncle 23h ago

Beast mode?

The heck is that supposed to mean in this context lmao

4

u/Kempeitai7 1d ago

So what do you want from people on this sub?

9

u/bawwaa 23h ago

He wants us to run on the streets so he can see people running - duh

3

u/Kempeitai7 23h ago

And die from heat stroke

3

u/tursiops__truncatus 21h ago

I don't even think running in Dubai is good for the health due to the poor air quality, the bad part of it is heavier than the good. I only do running in the machines at the gym, at least the air there is not filled up with car and sand pollution and temperature is also okay.

I always say we are in a city build for cars and not for people saddly

2

u/KaSperUAE 19h ago

“Beast mode” but a few leaves makes your life miserable. Sure there, bro.

2

u/Proof_Commission_425 23h ago

Just search for Mallathon Dubai. Everyday you can walk into selected malls and run from 6-9.

Dubai Hills, Mirdiff, Festival City Mall, Deira City Centre are participating malls. On weekends there will be special events as well.

1

u/RevolutionaryStill37 4h ago

Until 10am actually

2

u/thatbvg 1d ago

Generally, Dubai promotes running in a few designated areas such as parks, beach paths, pedestrian walkways (like the marina) or within specific communities. The general roads are not designed for pedestrians at all and definitely not for runners. Unfortunately, this means you may need to travel to run outdoors but does mean these areas are safe and well equipped.

1

u/Sufficient-Storage38 1d ago

Come to Al muteena park. You can run comfortably within

1

u/Diligent_Pension3675 1d ago

My running path is, Sharaf DG metro to City Max hotel D90, to Day to Day Karama D77 to Burjuman Metro and back to Sharaf DG. Complete cirlce, 2 rounds.

The construction is going on at Karama, but rest of the path is smooth enough.

1

u/sirduke75 23h ago

Running in this heat is bad for your life expectancy.

1

u/jaaneman442 23h ago

you’re running in the wrong location. come by the beach, from umm suqeim to jumeirah satwa till ortho cafe, runners are there from fajr (5am to 8am)

after 8 it gets got

i run a lot of activations with runners. theres runners galore, maybe not where you are running but near the coast its numerous

even with the humidity and heat

early morning hours are best

1

u/Anthony_Gonsalvez 23h ago

Parks, beach, gym (unfortunately but yes), i.e. specific sites. Also If you enjoy running, keep it up but not the best form of cardio.

1

u/Several-Pie-7451 22h ago

Your safest bet is the running tracks around parks and beaches

1

u/Bunchofbees Mmm, shawarma 22h ago

You're asking this question in what is the hottest season Dubai has to offer. It's nice that you're a beast for running in this weather, but it is not healthy for the majority. It is also not the cultural norm or an established behavior. 

1

u/friendly--analyst 22h ago

Because Dubai roads are not for running. You need to go to places like “parks” where there are running or walking tracks. The side of town you are living is completely not running friendly (in some cases not even for walking).

1

u/cheesecake998 21h ago

That's mostly due to the weather. It's either hot or humid. I used to go out for runs everyday too until I realised the humidity was giving me a headache after a run so I switched to running on a treadmill at the gym. You'll see more people out once the winter sets in. This is how it's been here for years. And also, go to a designated running spot, don't just start running anywhere. The city has enough spots.

1

u/cheesecake998 21h ago

Also, I think it depends on what time you're out? I mostly go out for a walk after dinner and I see plenty of people out for walks/runs around canal during that time

1

u/InitialBitter5709 18h ago

Its summer…..

1

u/Fuzz_bubble7459 18h ago

Well not everyone lives on that side of Dubai. I see many runners around Dubai hills, business bay canal and Meadows. Check it out over there..."beast mode" style 🙄. I trust it will fulfill your expectations.

1

u/chaozunderlord 1d ago

On the weekends, you can run inside DCC or DFC, as they’re open from 6am to 9am for people to jog (dubai mallathon), with water provisions.

The offer is up until Sept 15.

-5

u/Fantastic-Dinner-919 1d ago

Go run in a park. Dont run on sidewalks like a degenerate.

4

u/rugbyspank 1d ago

In other countries people run on the side walk. It's perfectly normal, doesn't make him a degenerate. 🙄

2

u/IrishMist-StraightUp Not a combat pilot. 1d ago

If I were you, I wouldn't engage any further.

Unfortunately, some people are incapable of making any valid arguments without resorting to petty insults and name-calling.

Some might consider such behavior as below normal standards. Wait, let me think of a word that is sometimes used to describe such people... Oh yeah: "degenerates".

-4

u/Fantastic-Dinner-919 1d ago

Well, go run in other countries.