The Emirate of Fujairah hosts the remarkable Spartan Trail and Tough Mudder International sports event for the first time. Located no more than an hour and a half outside of Dubai, UAE, Fujairah Adventure Parks’ natural landscape stood out to attract the ultimate obstacle course challenge in the Emirate of Fujairah.
Held under the patronage of H. H. Sheikh Muhammad bin Hamad Al Sharqi, organized by Spartan Race, in cooperation with Fujairah Investment and Fujairah Holding the international sports event attracted 1600 participants from all Emirates of the UAE and different countries around the world for a combination of Tough Mudder’s obstacles course and Spartan’s trail run. Conquered by the energetic and earnest Mudders, the Tough Mudder course featured a host of challenges including daunting obstacles such as Everest, Skid marked, Artic Enema, Ice Bath, The liberator, Birth Canal, Berlin Walls and substantially more.
The Spartan trail and Tough Mudder obstacles course started with participants’ cheering noise and encouraging shouts to promote their contagious energy and explosive power. The three categories of the Spartan trail involved elite group, open age group, and open group. The top three men and top three women were awarded in both elite group and open age group that involved 10 km and 21 km distance. The participants of open group of the Spartan trail were given medals and T-shirts for completing the race. The three categories of Tough Mudder involved Tough Mudder, Tough Mudder Tough Mudder 5 km open, and 10 km open. The top three men and top three women were awarded cash prices for completing the distance of 10 km of comitative heat with Mudders running against the clock. Finishers in both 5 km open Tough Mudder and 10 km open Tough Mudder received T-shirts and headbands.
The mega sports event ended on a high note with the announcement of winners by Duncan Dewes, the Regional Director of the Tough Mudder global race. The 1st winner for the men’s elite group was announced to be Obaid Al-Nuaemi from Dubai, 2nd place winner Saleh Alsuwaidi from Dubai, and 3rd place winner Wai Ching Soh from Malaysia for 10 km distance race. The 1st place in the women’s elite group was won by Alisa Petrova from Russian Federation, 2nd place by Mariam Akhras from Lebanon, and 3rd place by Greta Treeby from Malta.
The winners of the men’s half marathon Spartan trail were announced to be Fabien Rencuret, Amir Bou Reslan, and Moe Maktabi for the first three positions. The women’s half marathon winners for the first three places were announced to be Demi Lopes, Hanan Mahmoud, and Judi Mahfouz.
Expressing his pleasure, the professional athlete, Soh Wai Ching who flew from Malaysia, to participate in the monumental sports event said, “I am looking forward to coming back again to Fujairah. I won the Spartan Trail in Hatta and Abu Dhabi as well and glad to be the part of today’s memorable event”.
The 1st place winner of Spartan elite 10 km distance, Obaid Al-Nuaemi said, “Fujairah is a beautiful and adventurous tourist destination, and I congratulate the organisers and the participants for such a momentous sports event”. Saleh Alsuwaidi said, “the much-awaited event tested the strength and endurance of the participants, and I am glad to participate in Spartan international sports event”.
The organizing committee of the mega sports event pronounced that such events contribute to attracting visitors and sports enthusiasts to the UAE, and the leadership supports national and international sports events and initiatives to promote the quality of community life and transform Fujairah into a leading destination that hosts adventurous and distinguished events. The committee congratulated the participants for their success that can be the beginning of their tomorrow’s achievements.
Tough Mudder and Spartan have a long-standing history. Started in 2010, Tough Mudder is more than just an obstacle course, and is an adventure like no other to test stamina, strength, and mental grit of Mudders. With the goal of elevating obstacles racing to the next level, the first Spartan Race was held in 2010. The recent merger of the two mega sports companies is a momentous occasion for sports enthusiasts from around the world.
