Indian runner Rada Mani (78) turned heads by defying her age and participating for the first time in the 'Dubai Run Challenge' on Sheikh Zayed Road yesterday among tens of thousands of participants of all ages, including visitors who came specifically to the emirate for the world's largest community run, as part of the seventh edition of the 'Dubai Fitness Challenge'. Mani affirmed that a passion for sports knows no age. Rada told 'Al Ittihad': 'I often visit Dubai, where my daughter and her family live, and this time I was keen to register for my first 'Dubai Run Challenge' and encourage my family to be at this unique world event'. She explained: 'I practice yoga, and coinciding with my visit this year with the 'Dubai Fitness Challenge', I asked my son-in-law to register and participate in the 'Run Challenge' and go through this beautiful experience in a generational mix, especially as my participation was with my granddaughter who loves sports'. She added: 'Dubai presents an advanced model in all fields, and this event confirms that, having become a widespread phenomenon as the world's largest community run, and this in itself encouraged me to participate to prove that sports is a lifestyle even at the age of 70'. Her son-in-law, Krishna, said: 'It was a big surprise when my mother-in-law asked to participate in the 'Dubai Run Challenge', so I rushed to fulfill her desire and go through the experience with her for the first time'. The event attracted families residing in Dubai, including the Filipino family Yong. Adam Yong, a race participant, said: 'My wife had tried the 'Dubai Run Challenge' before our marriage, and this year she encouraged me to go through the experience for the first time with our daughter (Kizian)'. His wife, Squimi, said: 'I asked my husband early on to register and participate as a family, and the atmosphere is wonderful'. South African prepares to participate and 'cover' South African journalist Thulani Mbhele (40) confirmed that the widespread reputation of the 'Dubai Run Challenge' was the motivation for his first trip to Dubai, aiming to participate and run alongside thousands of other participants, enabling him to convey the full picture of how the event manages to attract such a large number of people annually. Mbhele said: 'The live photos and extensive coverage of the 'Dubai Run Challenge', held on one of the most vibrant streets, encouraged me to visit Dubai for the first time. I arrived last Thursday and began preparing not only to do my job as a journalist, but also to participate and run with the crowds, to convey the full picture of this mass event'.
Rada Mani: • I practice 'yoga', and I asked my son-in-law to register for the 'Run Challenge' and go through this experience with my granddaughter.
