Latest news with #SydneyMarathon
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
'Dubai is always ahead': Mallathon to help stay fit in summer heat, say athletes
A wave of excitement is building among UAE residents and local athletes as they prepare for the inaugural ' Dubai Mallathon' initiative. The initiative launched by Sheikh Hamdan, which transforms the city's iconic shopping malls into indoor fitness tracks daily from 7am to 10am, has generated tremendous enthusiasm from community members seeking new, climate-controlled spaces for their morning workouts. The innovative initiative offers residents a unique solution to maintain their fitness routines during the challenging summer months, providing air-conditioned environments that shield fitness enthusiasts from the region's intense heat. Ras Al Khaimah's accomplished long-distance runner, Abdulla AlShehhi, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme. 'The Dubai Mallathon initiative marks a significant step in promoting a healthy lifestyle during the summer, especially for us as runners. Transforming shopping malls into walking and running tracks is a smart idea that provides a safe and comfortable environment, encouraging everyone to stay consistent even in hot weather," he said. AlShehhi, who is currently preparing for the upcoming Sydney Marathon at the end of August, sees the timing as perfect. 'This initiative couldn't have come at a better time. It offers an ideal indoor environment to train effectively, beat the summer heat, and stay committed to our fitness goals throughout the season,' he added. The runner praised Dubai's forward-thinking approach, 'Initiatives like this prove that Dubai is always ahead when it comes to integrated community thinking. I'm personally excited to take part, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique opportunity.' Talal from Sharjah, who practices various sports including swimming and running, highlighted the practical benefits of the initiative, 'Running inside malls provides an air-conditioned and suitable environment for exercising away from harsh weather conditions, especially in summer. It also provides a level and safe surface and allows friends and family to participate together. It improves heart and muscle health and helps burn calories.' Running coach Fuad Naser, founder of the 5:30 RUN club in the UAE, praised the initiative's innovative approach, 'The 'Dubai Mallathon' is a brilliant and well-conceived initiative that showcases Dubai's commitment to public health and innovative solutions.' Naser emphasized the programme's broader impact: 'It effectively addresses a unique environmental challenge while promoting a vibrant, active, and connected community. HH Faz3's leadership in launching such a practical and beneficial programme is highly commendable, setting a new benchmark for urban wellness initiatives.' The coach concluded with high praise for the initiative's contribution to Dubai's reputation: 'It's a fantastic step towards keeping Dubai truly the 'best place to live, work, and visit.'' The Dubai Mallathon represents a creative solution to the UAE's climate challenges, offering residents and visitors alike an opportunity to maintain active lifestyles year-round. By repurposing existing infrastructure during off-peak hours, the initiative demonstrates Dubai's commitment to innovative urban planning and community wellness. The program is expected to attract fitness enthusiasts of all levels, from casual walkers to serious athletes preparing for international competitions, creating a diverse and inclusive fitness community within the city's retail spaces. As announced by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the Dubai Mallathon initiative transforms shopping centers into fitness venues during morning hours, reinforcing Dubai's position as a leader in innovative community health programs.
The Age
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Marathon legend Kipchoge set for Sydney Marathon
Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest male marathon runner of all time, will contest the 2025 Sydney Marathon. Loading
Perth Now
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Sydney Marathon hails field as best-ever in Australia
Sydney Marathon organisers are hailing the men's field as the strongest assembled in Australia after confirming another raft of big-name signings. Kenyan megastar Eliud Kipchoge, announced as the headline attraction last March, will be joined at the start line of the August 31 race by 14 other runners who hold personal-best times inside the current Sydney course record. That batch includes emerging Kenyan Vincent Ngetich, Ethiopian duo Dawit Wolde and Birhanu Legese and Japanese great Yuki Kawauchi. Kawauchi holds the world record for most marathons completed in less than two hours 20 minutes, a feat he has achieved more than 100 times. Australian record holder Andrew Buchanan will prioritise the world championships marathon in Tokyo in September, but the local contingent is still strong. Former national record holder Brett Robinson and fellow Olympian Liam Adams will feature alongside rising star Haftu Strintzos, who will make his marathon debut after an impressive US college career. Race director Wayne Larden said the men's field was the most competitive assembled on Australian soil. "When you look at the depth of this year's men's field, it's not just star-studded and fast, it's exceptionally deep," Larden said. "We have multiple athletes capable of running under the course record, rising stars on the brink of global breakthrough, and, of course, Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner of all-time. "We've also focused on Australian elites and it's exciting to see so many top Aussies lining up alongside world-class internationals in our first year as an World Marathon Major." The Sydney Marathon is the seventh event on the marathon major calendar, a global points-based competition. The Sydney race record is 2:06.18 set last year by Kenyan Brimin Kipkorir, who is currently provisionally suspended after recording a positive test for a prohibited substance two months after his win in Australia.
The Age
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
The Sydney Opera House stairs will be out of action for weeks. Here's why
Despite the imposing size of the grand stairway, the steps are straightforward to remove. They sit on rubber packers, which will be hard-grouted to limit movement and reduce the need for further maintenance. Work was completed on other segments of the stairway in 2024 and earlier this year, but the current maintenance marks the biggest and most central part of the remediation. The work could take several weeks, with the official deadline for completion being the Sydney Marathon on August 31. Focus will then turn to the podium at the top of the stairs. While acting primarily as a functional, but dramatic, gateway to the podium level entry of the Sydney Opera House, the Monumental Steps are both a key aesthetic element and one of the many engineering feats of the building. The 100-metre-wide stairs drew inspiration from ancient Mayan temples. Architect Jorn Utzon called them a 'very important feature for the feeling of being in another world'. The cavernous concourse that runs below the stairs is supported by 49-metre-long concrete beams, a design innovation of engineer Ove Arup, who dismissed the need for vertical columns and instead proposed the beams. Those beams have held strong over the decades, supporting the weight of hundreds of thousands of people for events such as Crowded House's 1996 farewell show or Oprah Winfrey's 2010 broadcast from the forecourt. Comments below a popular TikTok showing the gutted stairs recall all the treasures lost to the narrow gaps along the stairway. 'Lost my house keys there at the Crowded House farewell concert in 1996,' one read. For those hoping to find lost items during the current round of maintenance, it's probably a little too late for your phone, thanks to the stormwater that runs off the sails. However, the removable nature of the steps means items can often be retrieved on the day.
Sydney Morning Herald
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Opera House stairs will be out of action for weeks. Here's why
Despite the imposing size of the grand stairway, the steps are straightforward to remove. They sit on rubber packers, which will be hard-grouted to limit movement and reduce the need for further maintenance. Work was completed on other segments of the stairway in 2024 and earlier this year, but the current maintenance marks the biggest and most central part of the remediation. The work could take several weeks, with the official deadline for completion being the Sydney Marathon on August 31. Focus will then turn to the podium at the top of the stairs. While acting primarily as a functional, but dramatic, gateway to the podium level entry of the Sydney Opera House, the Monumental Steps are both a key aesthetic element and one of the many engineering feats of the building. The 100-metre-wide stairs drew inspiration from ancient Mayan temples. Architect Jorn Utzon called them a 'very important feature for the feeling of being in another world'. The cavernous concourse that runs below the stairs is supported by 49-metre-long concrete beams, a design innovation of engineer Ove Arup, who dismissed the need for vertical columns and instead proposed the beams. Those beams have held strong over the decades, supporting the weight of hundreds of thousands of people for events such as Crowded House's 1996 farewell show or Oprah Winfrey's 2010 broadcast from the forecourt. Comments below a popular TikTok showing the gutted stairs recall all the treasures lost to the narrow gaps along the stairway. 'Lost my house keys there at the Crowded House farewell concert in 1996,' one read. For those hoping to find lost items during the current round of maintenance, it's probably a little too late for your phone, thanks to the stormwater that runs off the sails. However, the removable nature of the steps means items can often be retrieved on the day. 'We can pull the stair treads out to do cleaning, and you pick up the odd phone that gets dropped underneath during a concert,' said general manager of building operations, Dean Jakubowski.
