After two years of virtual runs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Runmadan Challenge, now in its 10th season, is back with new routes, more runners, and team-building games to keep the partakers not only in shape physically but mentally and socially during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Filipino Runners United (FRU) Chairman, Ross Pisuena, said “Every season, we customize the challenge depending on the participating runners. We do our pre-runs searching for new mosques and routes, checking local Ramadan rules, and series of core meetings to plan ahead for the 30 days event.”
This year more than 70 runners participated, visiting 212 mosques in a total of 200km in different areas of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Recognitions are presented to three different categories: Finishers (those who completed at least 15 days of running), Elite (runners who completed the 30 days), and to the runner who loses weight the most. Gift packs are given on the culmination of the challenge.
rptMore than just running
Breaking the unhealthy pandemic habits, running piqued the interest of most people to get active. The community event, not only is designed to test ones’ physical endurance; it is also packed with mind-boggling puzzle games, trivia quizzes, TikTok dance challenges, essay writing contest, physical games, mosque hunting, and more. These activities encourage the runners to work as a team, build meaningful friendships, stimulate their minds, and have fun at the same time.
“This season, after a week of running, we tweaked the event by adding fun challenges during runs and included camping trail run at Shawka Dam, Ras Al Khaimah to ensure challengers will have memorable experiences and knowledge about Ramadan and the beauty of mosques’ architecture”, Pisuena said.
The winner of the mosque hunting challenge in Shawka, RAK, men division, Peter Piendl, a retired 62 years old primary school teacher from Germany stated, “I have read about Runmadan Challenge online. At first, I thought it is just one race like the other races I have joined. But when I came to know that I need to run every day with other runners, it got me interested. Hence, I decided to join.”
He added: “I felt so good being surrounded by so many kind participants. The event was well organized and there was a peaceful atmosphere. And in this group, I was able to share so many things. I could also see the lifestyle of people from different countries like Russia, India, and Philippines.”.
Visiting expat from Moscow, Russia, Elena Tkachenko, another winner of the mosque hunting challenge female division cited with enthusiasm her first-ever Runmadan “I enjoyed running, socializing, sightseeing plenty of mosques, and meeting such nice runner community. If I’m in Dubai next Ramadan, I’m definitely in.”
“I run alone occasionally,” senior sales admin, Divine Grace Honra, said. She added “I decided to join because I want to motivate myself to stay healthy and fit, meet new friends, and be an example to others my age. Runmadan was challenging but enjoyable. I learned that it’s not too late to achieve our goal to have a healthy lifestyle as long as we are focused and determined.” When asked about inviting friends and family to join, without any hesitation, she said a big YES.
Organized by Filipino Runners United volunteer club, the Runmadan Challenge is a running event which begins on the first day of Ramadan after Iftar. Participants run every day for a minimum of 3km up to 16km, visiting approximately 200 mosques – a total of 200km in different areas of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.
