UAE 49TH NATIONAL DAY VIRTUAL RUN: Spirit of the Union

"Nations prosper by respecting and appreciating themselves, immortalizing their national figures and by committing to values of  solidarity and participation."  -   His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE.  (National Day Message 2017).    

United Arab Emirates. The UAE consists of seven emirate and was founded on Dec. 2, 1971 as a federation. Six of the seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. combined on that date.  The seventh, Ras al Khaimah, joined the federation on Feb 10, 1972. 

The largest of these emirates, Abu Dhabi, which comprises more than three-fourths of the federation's total land area, is the centre of its oil industry and borders Saudi Arabia on the federation's southern and eastern borders.  The port city of Dubai, located at the base of the mountainous Musandam Peninsula, is the capital of the emirate of Dubai and is one of the region's most vital commercial and financial centres.  The smaller emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaywayn, and   Ras al Khaimah also occupy the peninsula, whose protrusion north toward Iram forms the Strait of Hormuz linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. The federation's seventh member, Fujairah, faces the Gulf Of Oman.     

UAE is an economic powerhouse in the Middle East region.  Latest figures from IMF show that its per capita GDP is US$ 37,750.  That is ranked 2nd in the Middle East, next to Qatar, and 26th in the whole world. 

There are six ruling families in UAE.  Abu Dhabi is ruled by the Al Nahyan family.  Dubai is ruled by  the Al Maktoum family.  Ajman is ruled by the Al Nuaimi family. Fujairah is ruled by the Al Sharqi family. Umm Al Quwain is ruled by the Al Mualla family.  Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah  are  ruled by the Al Qasimi family.  The president and the head of the state are selected from amongst the rulers of each emirate.  The seven Emirs form the Federal Supreme Council that is the highest legislative and executive authority in the UAE. The current President is Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who became president on Nov 3, 2004, following the death of his father, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, one of UAE's founding fathers.  The Prime Minister and Vice President of UAE is Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 

In 2019, the population of UAE is 9.68 million.  Only about one-ninth of UAE's residents are citizens. The remainder are mostly foreign workers and their dependents, with South Asians constituting the largest of these groups.  Arabs from countries other than the United Arab Enirates and Iranians account for another significant portion.  Southeast Asians, including many Filipinos, have immigrated in increasing numbers to work in various capacities. 

The Filipinos are a growing community in UAE and a group of Filipino runners have decided to host a Virtual Takbo event called the UAE 49th National Day Virtual Run. This Virtual Takbo event will be from Nov 26 to Dec 2 with distances ranging from 2 kms, 12 kms, 20 kms, 2 miles, 12 miles and 20 miles.  The group that is hosting the event is Pinoy Runners Dubai.         

Kap Ludy Rodio of Pinoy Runners Dubai is originally from the province of Oriental Mindoro. In this photo, she is doing training run in the outskirt of Dubai City.  

Rona Janowitz of Pinoy Runners USA was kind enough to introduce Bicolano Penguin (BP) to the leaders of Pinoy Runners Dubai.  Here is a Q&A with one of them, Ludy Rodio:

BP:  When and how was Pinoy Runners Dubai founded?

Ludy:  The idea to form Pinoy Runners Dubai team came from Kap Robert of Pinoy Runners Paris way back in 2014. He told our Kap Christopher Ramos that he can form and lead a "Pinoy Runners Team" in Dubai if he wants to.   

Pinoy Runners Dubai was officially formed on April 26, 2018 initially consisting of 7 members and added as one of the barangays of Pinoy Runners Global. 

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Kap Chris Ramos of Pinoy Runners Dubai  is originally from the province of Bataan. In this photo, he is running the Dubai Festival City  Half Marathon last Nov 2019. 

We are all living in Dubai and share the same passion in running and dreaming someday running a marathon. As a group, we believe that running is the most basic, inexpensive and most readily sports for everyone.  We also believe that it is one of the key pillars to our wellbeing and happiness.  

On the same year, we all decided that we are going to realize our dreams and run a Marathon in Paris. Our first International Marathon which happened on April 14, 2019.

First full marathon in the books.  7 PRD runners achieved this running milestone at the 2019 Paris Marathon 

BP:  How many members does Pinoy Runners Dubai have?

Ludy:  82 members (active and non active runners). 

 While we are mostly Filipinos, we embrace diversity hence we are open to all individuals regardless of race and ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, age and physical abilities, religious and political beliefs and other ideologies.

BP:  Why is Pinoy Runners Dubai hosting this UAE Run (virtual takbo event)?

Ludy:  National Day is very important day for the people of UAE. The day of unification.   This is the way of saying Thank you  UAE as a comfort they are giving to all residents.  A contribution of PRD to UAE for promoting residents as well as the expats to be more active, fit and healthy.  And to show how the Spirit of the Union leads this country to become amazing and blessed from the desert to the best city and as one of the safest countries in the world. 

As Pinoy Runners we possessed the Falcon symbol:  the force, courage, strength and rising above challenging situations. 

BP:  How is the running community there in Dubai?

Ludy:  People in UAE love to run.   Here in Dubai we have lots of running community and running events. Or may I say in the entire UAE.   You can run and at the same time do some sightseeing in Dubai Marina. If you want to see the Burj al Arab you can run at the Kite Beach.  If you want a crescent running map you can run at the Palm.  If you want to see the biggest Ferris wheel in the world you can do a short at Jumeirah Beach Residence.  If you want to see the Guinness World Record  Largest Fountain, you can run at the Pointe.   

We in PRD like to collaborate with all members and other members of running teams in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other places, so we can all learn and grow together as a team and individual.  At the moment, Barangay Abu Dhabi currently have 154 members led by Kap Wayne.              

Looks like the runners of PRD are having a blessed time enjoying the oasis of running that is Dubai.  Lets take a look at the photos shared by Kap Ludy. 

Dubai Marina Daytime

PRD runners  in Kite Beach with the Burj Al Arab in the background.

With the world's biggest ferris wheel as a backdrop, a PRD runner putting in some mileage.  

A trio of PRD runners at the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. 

Some of the PRD runners are active members of the New Balance Running Club which have their training sessions in the Dubai Sports City Multipurpose Stadium

PRD runners at the Abu Dhabi Marathon last Dec 2019

Mentioned  by Kap Ludy in the Q&A, the leader of Pinoy Runners Abu Dhabi, Wayne Mark Elep,  is an avid marathon runner. He has finished NYC, London, Chicago and Berlin as he chases the "6 Stars."  He noted that the "Abu Dhabi group was just formed last year.  There are several running and triathlon groups here and ang sabi ko sali sali sila sa PRG-Brgy Abu Dhabi pero keep nila affiliations nila sa mga original group nila para walang conflict...so that is how we exist right now."

Kap Wayne Mark of Pinoy Runners Abu Dhabi had the honor of carrying the Philippine signage at the New York Marathon celebrations in 2017. He is originally from the province of Batanes.    

Likewise, the runners of Pinoy Runners Abu Dhabi are having a grand time too running in the capital of UAE.  The  modern day marvels in Abu Dhabi are not a mirage but a reality. Kap Wayne shared photos as well. 

Pinoy Runners Abu Dhabi members in front of the Gate Towers in  Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. 

Friday run meeting area of Pinoy Runners Abu Dhabi is at Al Maryah Island. 

Day and night, Pinoy runners in UAE are passionate about getting runners high

It is inspiring and admirable to see collaboration among running barangays in the PRG community.  In a way, the running barangays in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are living the "Spirit of the Union."  

To quote the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE (Statement on National Day 2019)

"The Spirit of the Union that runs through us, have rendered the word 'impossible' void in our dictionary, and with that, we have turned making achievements to a way of life, and made progress a part of our plans and actions." 

Indeed, when I read the story of the first full marathon of the 7  Pinoy Runners Dubai  members in Paris Marathon or the personal quest of  the leader of Pinoy Runners Abu Dhabi to finish all 6 of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the word "impossible" is not in their dictionary.

Mabuhay.