Dubai: Organisers have opened up registration for the inaugural X-Dubai Spartan Race for the Middle East Championship that will be held in Hatta on November 10.

To be organised in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the X-Dubai Spartan Race will feature three categories including a special event for children below 15 years over a 1.5-km course.

Open to either individuals or teams, the three main categories in the Spartan Race will be the Spartan Sprint for amateurs and beginners over a 5-km course, an ultimate Beast Spartan over 21-km along with the special event for juniors.

The Spartan Sprint, expected to be popular among the ever-increasing Spartan community in the UAE, will be held over a 5-km course with more than 20 obstacles. The Spartan Beast will consist of more than 30 obstacles on the 22-km course, while the kids’ run will have at least nine obstacles. The elite athletes competing in the Spartan Beast will be in the running for more than $50,000 (Dh185,000) in cash and other prizes.

This race is being arranged under the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in an attempt to showcase the beauty of rural Dubai from a tourism angle.

“This is the first time ever that we are venturing into untouched territory of Hatta. While the contestants go through the course, they will also have the privilege of being one with nature that has long been unexplored. I feel confident in the success of this race, solely based on this one point,” Rayyan Yacob Agha, Managing Partner, Spartan Race, told Gulf News.

“The last race we organised was in Sharjah and everyone enjoyed it because the location was out of the ordinary. There is huge potential for Hatta and its surroundings and we will ensure a truly enjoyable course that will incorporate natural beauty. This will be a race for the entire family,” he added.

The organising committee has further requested the athletes to turn up at least one hour in advance so that they can complete pre-race formalities for the race. Participants have also been requested to carry their Emirates ID cards and every participant will be required to submit a Liability Certificate before starting the race.

Visit the official website www.spartanarabia.com for more information and to complete registrations.