Photos By: Louise Adamson, Phishfotoz
The Urban-Ultra Extreme3 attracted an eager set of participants to the first ever three-day, three-stage self-supported multi-day ultra trail run in the United Arab Emirates.
The organisers were keen to show off some stunning parts of the UAE as well as introduce the sport of multi-stage ultrarunning to the trail running community. Although definitely not a beginner’s race, it encompassed many of the aspects that a longer race would but in a shorter and much cheaper event that would act as an introduction to this type of running. When you look at flights, time off work, race entry fees for many major overseas races you are looking at thousands of dollars.
Race Director Louise Adamson says, “We created the Urban-Ultra Extreme3 not only to show off the spectacular scenery of the UAE, but to allow runners living here to experience such an event for a fraction of the price and travel time that other races demand.” As runners gathered from noon on Thursday, February 27th 2014 in a small area of desert between dunes and mountains, they were nervous of what the next three stages held in store for them. For some runners, it was their first experience of a self-supported race – meaning you carry all your supplies, including food, sleeping mat and sleeping bag, etc. All participants must carry a mandatory list of items for their own safety but anything other than that is totally up to them. Some runners were veterans in such events and were willing to share their past experiences with the novices as gear was checked and re-packed ready for the start gun at 3:00pm.
The first stage ran participants 45km through sleepy villages, over varying terrain and showcased some of the UAE’s spectacular wadi beds and mountainscapes. Designed to give runners a feeling of running through the night as longer multi-stage events do, the route was purposely started at 3:00pm so that runners would also have to deal with the added stress of using only a headlamp to guide the way. The daytime route was marked with flags, ribbons and with reflectors at night – invisible during daylight these are only revealed once a light is shone on them in darkness. As expected, it made for some interesting navigation!
With all runners but two DNFs safely through the finish line at the mountain camp, participants set about settling into their pre-erected tents, preparing their food and sorting out their sore feet! As with most self-supported races, there are no comforts of home – unless runners decide to bring it themselves – full packs typically weigh in at around 6-7kg not including water, so anything runners would like to bring as comfort items must be carried. Once you have experienced running with a 9kg backpack you soon learn to be brutal with the things you actually need to survive.
Wake-up call was at 6:00am for the start gun at 8:00am giving runners a couple of hours to prepare themselves for the day’s 40km sand section. An all too short 3km of easy jeep track led runners over a small rise bringing the dunes ahead into view. The first dune climb was designed to be tough. To psychologically challenge runners at the beginning of the day… it worked. The steep incline took its toll on already tired muscles but runners ploughed on and finished the first section of sand and rock to Checkpoint 1 in good time. The pace then slowed as the dunes grew larger and the sun baked runners from the outside in. Runners were encouraged to linger at checkpoints to properly hydrate and take food on board, but the sand was brutal and took many prisoners. By the end of Stage 2, some runners were cooked – mentally and physically. The field was now down to 50% of its starters. Unlike overseas races where travel and invested money are factors in abandoning a race – the close proximity to home also acts as a lure to participants not 100% invested in finishing the race.
Pascale De Jong, Course Director says, “Next year, runners will not be so close to home and comfort. This year, the temptation of getting in their car and being home in just under an hour was too easy. It will be different next year and much harder to abandon.”
Evening at the dune camp was quiet. Runners were now over the initial excitement and busy sorting out blisters and sore feet, resting, eating and recovering from a long, hot and tough day in the sand. Getting to bed early and refuelling was paramount to being prepared to tackle Stage 3’s 55km.
Saturday promised unspoilt and remote tracks on Stage 3, and it did not disappoint. Wadi beds and mountain tracks led to goat farms, scrambling boulder descents and through beautiful date farms up narrow pathways past camels – with slow ascents to no one knew where, but route markers led. Runners experienced places little visited by the general population and were treated to some of the best views the UAE has to offer.
As the first runners began to make their way to the finish, smiles appeared and an overall sense of relief as they realised the ordeal was finally over! The smiles however grew larger (with every ice cold can of pop!) as each and every finisher looked back at the extreme challenge they had completed and ultimately conquered.
Race Director Louise Adamson says, “I so love to see runners cross the line with a big smile and a huge sense of achievement. Running 140km over this terrain is a challenge in itself, add to that sleep deprivation, heat, sore feet, loads carried, and you have a very tough race. Every single runner should be proud to be wearing their medal – it was very well-deserved. Everyone seemed to love the route that we set but next year’s race will be new and improved following input from participants and our own observations on how we can make this event even better.”
From January 9-15th 2015, the Urban-Ultra Extreme three and seven-day events will hopefully attract participants from all over the world and showcase what the UAE has to offer. Details to be released soon on www.urbanultra.com.
