Dubai, UAE, March 20, 2018:  As part of their initiative to empower women in sports, the Dubai Sports Council, in partnership with Aventura Parks, have announced a brand new women-only obstacle race that will be held next month.

The Aventura Women’s Warrior Challenge will be held on April 7 at the Aventura Ziplining Park inside Mushrif Park and organisers are hoping the “female tribe” will turn in big numbers to “showcase their physical and mental strength”.

Open to women aged 16 and above, the Women’s Warrior Challenge is a fun obstacle race, run over a course of either 2.5km or 5km, with 15 obstacles along the path. Participants can register as individuals or as a team of four.

Talking about the event, Maitha Mohammed Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Human Rights Sector in the Community Development Authority and a member of DSC’s Women’s Sports Committee, said: “The Women’s Sports Committee of DSC is really pleased to support the organising of this new challenge for ladies.

“The Committee endeavours to encourage ladies of all age groups and nationalities to exercise regularly and play sport, and to make physical activity a part of their lifestyle. Last year, we introduced two top women-only events – the Dubai Women’s Triathlon and the Spartan Women’s Sprint – and both were a big success, with a diverse group of participants belonging to different age groups and communities.

“So we are excited to see another women-only event on the calendar and we are confident the Women’s Warrior Challenge will be a success as well.”
Hadi Fakhoury, the co-founder of Aventura Parks, described the Women’s Warrior Challenge as a step in the right direction, given the emphasis on empowerment of women in sports in the country.

“With so much already being done in the region to support and empower women, Aventura Women’s Warrior Challenge has been created to celebrate this female empowerment and give women even more opportunities to showcase their mental and physical strengths, either as individuals or as members of a team,” Fakhoury said. 

“From our race marshals to our photographer and videographer and all the participants, this is a women-only event - for women of all nationalities, ages and fitness levels.

“Just as Dubai Sports Council does, we believe sport has enormous power to generate real change and challenge mindsets. Furthermore, we at Aventura believe that sport, combined with mental challenges and team work, has huge potential to empower women and girls, with evidence that participation in such activities helps build women’s self-esteem and grow leadership skills.”

The tickets for the Challenge start from Dh125 and the organisers will be giving 10 per cent of the proceeds from the ticket sales to Al Jalila Foundation.
Giving further details about the event, Nawel Terir, the Marketing Manager of Aventura Park, said: “This event is the first of its kind in Dubai, with the fun obstacle challenge available in either a 2.5km or 5km format, ensuring there is a suitable circuit for all fitness levels.

“We have also developed a Mini Obstacle Race for girls aged 8 to 15, so that we can play a small part in inspiring future generations of powerful, strong and confident women.

“A fun filled warm-up session by Fitness 360 will get everyone excited for the race. Fitness 360 will also be offering free fitness classes from 6am to 10.30am for those who are looking for a lighter way to enjoy the Women’s Warrior Challenge.

“There will also be a specially catered Kids Zone where mums can leave their children with our onsite child care professionals, while they participate in the challenge. This event really is for all women.”

FACTFILE

What: The Aventura Women’s Warrior Challenge
Where: Aventura Ziplining Park, Mushrif Park 
When: April 7, 2018 – Registration opens at 6am and the race starts at 7am. Pre-race warm-up and other fitness classes to be provided between 6am-10.30am by Fitness 360. 
Who Can participate: Women aged 16 and above.
Tickets: Prices start at Dh125. Can be purchased at Aventuraparks.com or through Hopa Sports. Ten per cent of the race sales will go to Al Jalila Foundation.