Spartan Race to take over Al Ain Zoo in October 2025
On Saturday October 11 and Sunday October 12, the action-packed Spartan Trifecta Weekend lands at Al Ain Zoo, bringing mud, muscle and adrenaline to one of the region's most unexpected venues.
You might also like: UAE's first indoor Spartan obstacle race is coming soon
That's right – your next obstacle could come with a side of zebra spotting or a giraffe in the background.
The two-day event is no ordinary race. It's a full weekend, offering you the chance to compete in all three of Spartan's signature races – Sprint, Super and Beast.
Conquer all three and you'll earn the elite Trifecta medal (plus serious bragging rights).
Here's what to expect:
Sprint (5km, 20 obstacles): A fast, fierce challenge – great for beginners or anyone short on time.
A fast, fierce challenge – great for beginners or anyone short on time. Super (10km, 25 obstacles): A middleweight test of endurance, strength and grit.
A middleweight test of endurance, strength and grit. Beast (21km, 30 obstacles): Spartan's most brutal course, designed to push even the fittest competitors to their limits.
Spartan's most brutal course, designed to push even the fittest competitors to their limits. Kids' Races (1–3km): Little Spartans aren't left out, with age-appropriate courses for kids four to 14.
This is the first time Spartan is setting its obstacle course inside a zoo, so expect a completely unique course layout that winds through the animal exhibits, natural trails and garden landscapes of Al Ain Zoo.
The race blends world-class sport with wild scenery – and it's designed to be just as memorable for spectators as it is for athletes.
Backed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event builds on the UAE's growing reputation as a global hub for obstacle racing. With the annual Spartan World Championship already a highlight of the capital's sporting calendar, this new event in Al Ain adds yet another must-do weekend to the UAE's race season.
If you're not racing, go cheer on the athletes, bring the kids, or just soak in the zoo-meets-obstacle energy. If you are racing, it's time to start training, folks!
From Dhs236. Ail Ain Zoo. Oct 11-12. arabia.spartan.com.
Looking for things to do in Dubai?
Brilliant things to do this weekend
There's no better place to be
Dubai restaurants and bars opening soon
Get these hot spots on your radar
105 best breakfasts in Dubai
Your ultimate guide
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out Dubai
4 days ago
- Time Out Dubai
Your non-cringe guide to making new friends in Dubai
We get it – moving to a new city and having to *put yourself out there* can feel weird and awkward when you're a fully-grown adult. But what if we told you expanding your social circle and finding some new mates doesn't need to be cringe? If you like this: 15 must-have Dubai apps that will change your life Of course, some might not come naturally to you, but there are plenty of methods to meet people in Dubai that won't cause you to want the ground to swallow you up. How to make new friends in Dubai Through fitness: Find a new team If you're a sports fanatic, find a group to team up with through DuPlays Dubai. From football to basketball and even netball, this online sports platform will help you to connect with other sports enthusiasts. DuPlays also hosts fun social events where you can meet people, so keep your eyes peeled to their social media pages for upcoming meet-ups. Join a run club (Credit: supplied) If you've been in Dubai for a while, you'll know that run clubs are the 'it' girl of social events, and it's a perfect place to meet mates. Not only are you surrounded by super-friendly endorphin-fuelled joggers, you can all natter away as you run, jog or walk a stunning route along the beach or elsewhere. For example, the free Spartan run club runs every Saturday at 6.15am with a new location each week, and there's usually a free coffee included at the end of it, so you and your new pals can refuel together. Free. Sat, 6.15am. Various locations, @spartanmiddleeast. Try a hyrox session Becoming somewhat of a sensation across the world, the hyrox competitions have huge community groups that love to train together. If you're in the mood for a challenge, or just want to be social, there are plenty of training classes and gyms you can sign up to, where you're guaranteed to get chatting to people. Need a suggestion on where to go? Try the hyrox class at KO8 Fitness in Dubai Marina, which has a lot of energy and a great community around it. Class timings vary. Dusit Princess Residence, Dubai Marina, (054 995 6484). Through networking Find a Facebook group Dubai is all about the Facebook groups (seriously). As well as your local community groups, there are plenty of pages dedicated to meeting new friends (everyone's in the same boat when they first arrive). If you're looking for a new group of gals to hit up Pilates with, join the likes of That Dubai Girl and ATB Dubai. If you're looking for home comforts, try joining a group of your nationality, for example Brits in Dubai. Or if you're a parent looking to meet up with likeminded parents and organise a play date or two for the little ones, try the likes of Just The Mums UAE, Real Mums UAE or The Dubai Mums Club. Try a networking event In Dubai, networking events aren't always held in function rooms with everyone in a suit. They're usually far from it. From matcha meetups to Pilates classes or dreamy lunches at gorgeous locations, these don't feel like networking (they actually feel like fun). If you want to meet like-minded women, try out one of the events hosted by The Female Network, or to meet people in your industry, try the Dubai Young Professionals group instead. Through volunteering Help out with a charity Want to pay it forward while meeting people? There are plenty of places in the city looking for volunteers all-year round, making for a rewarding way to meet people that care about the same things as you do. If you need some guidance on where to start looking, check out opportunities at the Al Noor Training Centre for people of determination, Dubai Autism Centre and Make a Wish UAE. Visit an animal shelter (Credit: Canva) Animal-lovers can also foster a homeless pet through 38 Smiles or volunteer their time to dog-walking with K9 Friends. You'll meet like-minded people and help those in need, two birds with one stone. And even if you don't make besties for life, you'll make a difference, which is always a win. Through an adventure Head out on a mini-break Taking a solo escapade may sound daunting, but it's a great way to meet loads of people. Companies like Adventurati and Gulf for Good organise such trips. Check out upcoming trips online and sign up to explore vast deserts and breathtaking mountains with a load of new mates. Take a day trip Credit: Supplied Push yourself a little out your comfort zone and explore some new locations at the same time and join a day trip group like The Trail Tribe UAE. From hikes in Hatta to desert days out, this team of explorers even organise adventures around the world together, so it's a great community to be a part of. @trail_tribe_uae Just moved to Dubai? Find more tips here: 5 hidden Emirates ID perks you probably didn't know about A game-changer It's official: The 86 best restaurants in Dubai Tried and tested by us 14 incredible things you can have delivered to your home in Dubai From IV drips to spray tans
Time Out Dubai
26-07-2025
- Time Out Dubai
Spartan Race to take over Al Ain Zoo in October 2025
Get ready to channel your inner warrior – Spartan Race is returning to the UAE and this time it's going wild. On Saturday October 11 and Sunday October 12, the action-packed Spartan Trifecta Weekend lands at Al Ain Zoo, bringing mud, muscle and adrenaline to one of the region's most unexpected venues. You might also like: UAE's first indoor Spartan obstacle race is coming soon That's right – your next obstacle could come with a side of zebra spotting or a giraffe in the background. The two-day event is no ordinary race. It's a full weekend, offering you the chance to compete in all three of Spartan's signature races – Sprint, Super and Beast. Conquer all three and you'll earn the elite Trifecta medal (plus serious bragging rights). Here's what to expect: Sprint (5km, 20 obstacles): A fast, fierce challenge – great for beginners or anyone short on time. A fast, fierce challenge – great for beginners or anyone short on time. Super (10km, 25 obstacles): A middleweight test of endurance, strength and grit. A middleweight test of endurance, strength and grit. Beast (21km, 30 obstacles): Spartan's most brutal course, designed to push even the fittest competitors to their limits. Spartan's most brutal course, designed to push even the fittest competitors to their limits. Kids' Races (1–3km): Little Spartans aren't left out, with age-appropriate courses for kids four to 14. This is the first time Spartan is setting its obstacle course inside a zoo, so expect a completely unique course layout that winds through the animal exhibits, natural trails and garden landscapes of Al Ain Zoo. The race blends world-class sport with wild scenery – and it's designed to be just as memorable for spectators as it is for athletes. Backed by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the event builds on the UAE's growing reputation as a global hub for obstacle racing. With the annual Spartan World Championship already a highlight of the capital's sporting calendar, this new event in Al Ain adds yet another must-do weekend to the UAE's race season. If you're not racing, go cheer on the athletes, bring the kids, or just soak in the zoo-meets-obstacle energy. If you are racing, it's time to start training, folks! From Dhs236. Ail Ain Zoo. Oct 11-12. Looking for things to do in Dubai? Brilliant things to do this weekend There's no better place to be Dubai restaurants and bars opening soon Get these hot spots on your radar 105 best breakfasts in Dubai Your ultimate guide
BBC News
23-07-2025
- BBC News
'10 times as big' - Marshall wants Shields rematch
Savannah Marshall believes a rematch with American superstar Claressa Shields is still possible despite losing her super-middleweight world title to Shadasia Marshall, 34, had not boxed for two years before being beaten on a split points decision by Green in New York earlier this was just the second defeat of Marshall's professional career - she was beaten, also on points, by Shields in a middleweight world title unification bout in has been pursuing a rematch with Shields, who remains unbeaten and is now champion at heavyweight, since that from Hartlepool, accepts her chances of securing that fight have potentially been undermined by losing to Green, who might now face she believes another meeting with Shields, who Marshall beat as an amateur, would still be an attractive proposition, particularly with streaming platform Netflix now holding broadcasting fights."My fight with Claressa is 10 times as big as Claressa versus Shadasia Green," Marshall told BBC Radio Tees. "I just want that Claressa rematch. I really do."A second fight against Green is another possible option, potentially giving Marshall a chance to become a world champion was no rematch clause in the deal for the Green fight, as Marshall admits she was "so confident" she would win."There's two fights out there for me at the minute," she added. "There's the rematch with Shadasia and I think that the Claressa rematch is still there."I've waited two and a half years, coming up on three years, for that rematch."Now I've lost my world titles and I've been beaten, it's probably less likely to happen. But I do think it's still an option, especially with the Netflix platform." 'Train hasn't stopped yet' - retirement ruled out Marshall was hurt by Green several times during a bruising encounter but felt she did enough to decision went against her, with two of the three judges scoring the contest in the American's revealed she had concerns before the fight about all three judges being from the United States."It was flagged up the day before in the rules meeting," she added."My manager (Mick Hennessy) wasn't happy about it and he was told 'Look, don't worry, it's live on Netflix and the last thing we want is controversy'."I feel like I was very hard done by. I'm going to America, we've got three American judges and I'm fighting an American. I'm gutted. But look, it's boxing."I'm my own worst critic and I've watched it back a couple of times, and even being generous I still have her two rounds down."The defeat was a major disappointment for Marshall, who has also competed in mixed martial she insists she has no intention of quitting said: "I remember my first amateur coach saying to me 'You will wake up one day and you just won't want to do it any more'."But this is the train I'm on at the minute. It hasn't stopped yet."
