Dubai's vibrant fitness scene is epitomized by the annual Dubai Fitness Challenge, or Dubai 30X30, which unites the city in a collective commitment to health. As we approach Dubai Run 2024, when Sheikh Zayed Road becomes a grand running track, we spoke with four remarkable women who share a unique bond with running. For these UAE women, running transcends physical fitness—it’s a journey to mental fortitude, liberation, and empowerment. From their first steps to conquering ultramarathons, they reveal how running has reshaped their lives, offering mental clarity and immense joy within Dubai’s secure and encouraging environment.

Jola Chudy, a British expat in her 40s and the founder of a PR agency, didn’t always see herself as a runner. In 2019, after a demanding stint as editor-in-chief left her burned out, she started jogging to relieve stress. “Initially, it was tough. I could barely manage a couple of kilometres,” she remembers. However, those early struggles laid the groundwork for a transformative journey. Today, Jola is not only an avid ultramarathon runner but also the Middle East Community Manager for ASICS FrontRunner, leading a team of 75 brand ambassadors.

Achieving physical milestones like ultramarathons across deserts has significantly boosted Jola’s confidence and resilience. Her participation in the Marathon des Sables, a grueling 252-kilometre race in the Sahara, is a testament to her growth. “When you survive on minimal supplies and endure scorching heat, daily stresses seem trivial,” she notes, highlighting how these challenges deepen her appreciation for simplicity and resilience. “Even a short run at Kite Beach with friends lifts my spirits.” For Jola, running is more than just fitness; it’s a form of empowerment. “As women, we don’t need permission to feel strong,” she asserts, adding that running reminds her of her inherent strength. “These adventures liberate our creativity and show us what’s possible, leaving us revitalized.” In her mid-40s, running continues to be a cornerstone in Jola’s life, helping her feel “healthy, empowered, and confident” in an age where women are often discouraged from aging gracefully.

For Hana Al Nabulsi, a triathlete specializing in short-to-middle distances, running is a cherished outlet for expression and control. “I was introduced to running young, somewhat reluctantly, but I quickly discovered a sense of freedom in my strides,” Hana says. Dubbed “Bambi legs” for her long stride, running offered her a rare sense of control, becoming “therapy” and “a way to take life into my own hands.” While some Arab women may feel pressured by societal norms, Hana has always felt supported by her family and teammates. A member of the UAE National Triathlon Team, Hana acknowledges that being an Arab woman in sports can come with additional pressure to prove oneself, but she thrives on the challenge. “Being challenged fuels me; it lights a fire within me,” she says with pride. Running, especially speed work, gives Hana a unique sense of liberation. “For some, it’s boxing; for me, it’s running,” she adds.

Valérie Fagerholt-Ramadan, a 49-year-old retail manager and mother, has found solace and strength in running over decades. Growing up in Denmark, Valérie began running around age 14 and continued throughout her life, experiencing everything from post-pregnancy fitness to the rigors of life as a working mother. But it was during a difficult divorce that running became her sanctuary. “I’d run every morning after dropping my kids to the school bus, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying. Running kept me sane,” she shares. Valérie also highlights running’s therapeutic benefits in processing emotions. “Running has always been ‘me time’, a space to clear my mind,” she says, emphasizing how it cultivates resilience and confidence. Even in unfamiliar or sometimes uncomfortable locations like Lebanon, where she received stares for running publicly, Valérie continued. “In Dubai, though, I’ve never felt safer. There’s great respect for sporty people here, whether male or female.” With years of experience, Valérie appreciates the unique benefits running offers as she grows older. “There are days when I feel like I’m flying and others when my legs drag behind. Today, I’m wiser. I know how to fuel my body, warm up, and stretch properly,” she adds. Running not only sustains her physically but also keeps her humble, teaching her the value of patience and persistence through life’s peaks and valleys.

For Khulood Ibrahim, a Palestinian Canadian and digital marketeer born and raised in the UAE, running started as an unstructured activity. “I’ve been running for 10 years, but consistently for the last four, since Covid,” she says. The pandemic, with its isolating effect, helped her rediscover running as a critical support for her mental health. “Running feels like an addiction. The endorphins make me feel so happy,” she says, adding that she also sleeps better on days when she runs. Khulood appreciates Dubai’s supportive atmosphere and safe environment, which encourages her to run regularly. As a life coach, she embodies the role of a positive community figure, showing how running can fit seamlessly into a busy lifestyle. Khulood says running has also influenced her mental clarity, adding that “running has become a necessary part of my day.” As the Dubai Run draws thousands to the city’s streets, running becomes a symbol of freedom for these women and countless others, helping them find peace amid the daily rush, with the Emirate serving as the backdrop for their journey.

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