What’s On continues the Dubai Marathon training tips blog, Uncool Runnings, reviewing the Newton Running 10 Miler, Ski Dubai Ice Warrior Charity Challenge.

More…
– Dubai Marathon 2014
– Ultra-Marathon runner
– Dubai’s wacky sports
– Fun runs in Dubai
– Dubai Olympic bid
– Top marathon tips

This weekend, our Uncool Runners sprinted, slid, crushed snow and started at 4:45am for two races: The Newton Running 10 miler, and the Ski Dubai Ice Warrior Charity Challenge. Here’s what they thought.

Were you there? Flick through the gallery above to see if you were ‘spotted at the races’.

Read more from our Uncool Runners, Stacey and Danae, including marathon training tips, personal training help, nutrition advice and more, by visiting the blog homepage.

Newton Running 10 Miler
Stacey: New races can be risky. You have no idea what the course will be like, whether the water stations will be well-stocked or what kind of treats (if any) to expect at the finish line. Fortunately, the inaugural Newton Running 10 Miler race scored highly on all three counts.

On a cool but sunny morning, runners gathered at Emirates Golf Club. Danae and I spent our pre-race minutes drinking free coffee and browsing stalls for Gu, Mule Bars and the famously bright Newton running shoes. There was a good buzz in the air – it was, after all, the first race of the season.

The easy figure-of-eight course, well manned by marshals, took us through the club, out onto First Al Khail Street, through Jebel Ali Racecourse, and back. Happily, we crossed the finish line to shiny medals and a glorious carb-heavy brekkie of pastries, bacon sandwiches and fruit.

Overall, it was an impressively well-organised event, a lovely way to spend a Friday morning, and a worthy race in the run up to January’s Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon.

Uncool Runnings
– Starter kit
– Warm-up races
– PT advice
– Nutrition help

Ski Dubai Ice Warrior Charity Challenge
Danae: I did Desert Warrior with the What’s On team a few weeks ago, so I thought I knew what to expect with this similar obstacle-style extreme-temperature race. I was wrong.

Ski Dubai was more challenging in the obstacles. It was also more fun. Runners had a chance to sled down a giant hill, slip-slide under Zorb balls, and play in the snow. Over 20 obstacles were distributed throughout, meaning I never got bored.

After sliding under a car, helpers cheered me on to the finish. I was handed a goodie bag including a Mountain Dew (a sponsor), cookies, a towel, a T-shirt, a drawstring sack, and a few vouchers (although none for Ski Dubai itself).

Unfortunately, there were no ‘finisher’ medals. Yet despite that, and despite some serious leg bruising today, I’d definitely do the race again.