In the event you sort out the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February, you’ll be experiencing way more than a easy footrace
Not solely does Ras Al Khaimah stage probably the greatest half-marathon races on the earth, nevertheless it is likely one of the most ‘must-see’ cities with good climate, very good infrastructure, golden seashores and world class eating and purchasing.
The 18th version of the ‘RAK Half’ takes place on February 1 with 4 totally different race distances out there on Al Marjan Island within the United Arab Emirates. You’ve the selection of tackling 2km, 5km, 10km or the half-marathon.
Together with its well-known working occasion, Ras Al Khaimah is famend for its excellent nature, leisure, journey and genuine choices. With a unprecedented historical past relationship again over seven millennia, the northernmost Emirate within the UAE has grow to be one of the vital wanted locations within the Center East.
For these travelling to the emirate, keep in mind there is no such thing as a laborious border crossing from Ras Al Khaimah and its neighbouring emirates, together with Dubai. So you’ll be able to journey freely between Ras Al Khaimah and the opposite bordering emirates with none restrictions.
On the prime of the mountain, these with an actual style for journey can tackle the longest zipline on the earth. At over 2.8km in size ‘flyers’ can attain speeds of up-to 150kph.
Soar throughout jagged mountain peaks and swoop by means of deep ravines at hair-raising speeds. Three minutes of adrenaline-pumping journey at 1680m above the Arabian Gulf will go away you with a once-in-a-lifetime reminiscence.
There may be additionally the Jais Sky Tour, which takes explorers by means of a posh route of six ziplines that vary from simply 337m to properly over 1km to expertise the fun of ‘flying’ at a mean pace of 60kmph.
If you find yourself within the space it’s additionally straightforward to mix a go to to the Suwaidi Pearl Farm. From the coast a brief boat journey can take you to the farm the place cultured pearls are farmed.
Abdulla Al Suwaidi opened Suwaidi Pearl Farm in honour of his late grandfather, Mohammed. Abdulla watched in awe as his grandfather would disappear beneath the water for minutes at a time and return clutching spherical translucent treasures that royal households would put on. Abdulla was satisfied that Mohammed was half man and half fish!
The Al Wadi Equestrian Journey Centre is nestled amid the rolling purple dunes of Ras Al Khaimah’s desert lands. The centre is house to lovely Arabian horses, the uncommon oryx, swaggering camels, fairly desert foxes and, in case you are very lucky the shy desert cat. The unspoilt surroundings affords an exceptionally genuine expertise as you expertise the wilds of Emirati nature at its most interesting.
Earlier than and after the race, the world is right for enjoyable. Inside straightforward attain of the various seashore entrance resorts are the best mountains within the UAE at Jebel Jais. The viewing deck park right here gives spectacular views throughout the mountains at a peak of 1250m. With clean roads up the mountains, it’s a preferred vacation spot for cyclists to sort out some nice mountain climbs.
The Bear Grylls Explorers Camp is positioned within the mountainous northern Emirate, Ras Al Khaimah. Every explorer-instructor is very expert and skilled in survival strategies practised by the well-known British explorer Bear Grylls. Throughout your keep in his Ras Al Khaimah camp, his crew will equip you with the important life expertise, strategies and attitudes wanted to outlive the wilds of the mountains and desertlands.
On the race itself, the course has seen a number of world data over time. In 2007 Sammy Wanjiru ran a males’s world report of 58:53 within the RAK Half. Since then there have additionally been three girls’s world data with Mary Keitany clocking 65:50 in 2011, Peres Jepchirchir working 64:52 in 2017 and Abal Yeshaneh with 64:31 in 2020.
Extra not too long ago, in 2022, Jacob Kiplimo and Girmawit Gebrzihair ran course data of 57:56 and 64:14 respectively, whereas Eilish McColgan clocked a British report of 66:26.
You will discover out extra in regards to the race and enter right here.
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