Ready, steady, go!

As summer finally cools down to make way for crisp autumn evenings, residents have taken this as an opportunity to reintroduce a core event to the community - that's right, it is now marathon season! Companies, offices, and individuals are all planning marathons across the city, either for a specific cause, or to simply enjoy running on a breezy autumn evening.

Preparing for a marathon is no walk in the park; sincere dedication is required to get your body ready for a long run. In order to build the energy required, it is important to make sure you have a proper training schedule and stick to it - most runners begin preparation one month before runs to get their bodies ready, so make sure you plan accordingly. Stamina, and not speed, is of the essence.

The best way to prepare is to follow a daily plan, make realistic goals, and stick to them. One helpful tip is to make your goals visible - so use post-its on bathroom mirrors to remind yourselves of your goal. Better yet, bring friends to train with you, making it easier to deal with running.

One popular run is the Mai Dubai Half City Marathon, starting in front of the Gate building in DIFC. Taking place on October 25 at 6:30am, the marathon has three routes - 5km for the beginners, extending to a full 21K marathon, where runners can enjoy crisp breezes and the lovely sights of the Burj Khalifa, Emirates Towers, and the newly constructed Museum of the Future.

Another popular run is the Dubai Festival City half marathon, taking place November 1, at 6am. The track loops around the gold course and goes past the creek, giving runners the chance to catch a beautiful sunrise over the water. This course is more suited to beginners, with 1K, 5K, and 10K courses.

Marathons are often done to help unite people behind a common cause. The Emirates NBD Unity Run aims to do just that, and provides support to various institutions in the city, including the Red Crescent and the Al Noor Training Centre. The run will take place on November 15, at 7am at Dubai Silicon Oasis. This is perfect for those looking to build their stamina, as the 3K marathon is a fun run or a walk, and experienced runners can go for an un-timed 10K run. It's popular thanks to snacks and live music; making running more enjoyable than ever.

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