This race was actually run in one of the best locations in Al Ain and has shares stretches of course with the half marathon happening in December. It is what you would expect from a local race. A friendly group of people running together and using it as a morning run more than a race. The event benefits Malaria No More charity which is dedicated to getting mosquito nets for people to help stop the spread of malaria.

Because we aren't in the UK, the T-Shirts have to be ordered and delivered in about a month, but they were very friendly collecting information and explaining it all. The shirts are regular t-shirts, but looked pretty cool. There are also pictures that will be used on the organizations website, posing ensued, I was not a part of it.

It was hard to argue with doing it, it was 5 minutes from my house. If you're in the position to do it, it helps a good cause and its very affordable.

You run at the local Golf club early in the morning, so there is an overwhelming calm and clarity that overcomes you. The course is a simple out and back for the 5K, the 10K is just double this.

They didn't give me safety pins in the timing chip/race bib pick up. Normally that is the sign of something horrible, something ominous that makes the heavens quiver. Who gives you your race number and timing chip with no discernible way to attach it the night before?

The ABRaS 10K, despite it's problematic safety pin policy, turned out to be one of the nicer races I've run. The course is 3 loops around the Dubai Marina and Westin Hotel grounds. It is timed perfectly so that you are finishing as the temperature and humidity rise.

PROS

Aid Stations- There were water breaks every 2.2 km and course marshals intermittently with visible med kits. Water was readily available and spaced out beautifully.

Course Scenery: The grounds of the Westin, including the Barasti Bar that you run through are gorgeous. Either you are running through the actual marina and able to see beautiful luxury boats, the bustling downtown, Jumeirah beach or are staring at Burj Al Arab which is a gorgeous site. The least impressive part is the run through the parking lot, but this stretch is quick and albeit forgettable. The buildings seen from the course don't get old throughout the laps and there seems to be more to check out each time around. The Westin hotel's manicured lawn get more interesting during the course of the race, as you start seeing beach goers and families at breakfast.

Race Mangement: The ABRaS running club and it's marshal's handled things well. Instructions were fairly clear at the start and they were well spaced and position keep you moving along the course. Prior to the race start there was clear and open communication about race times, how timing would work and the location. Premier Online who is in charge of the timing has a great system and results are ready as soon as you cross the finish line. They are send directly to your phone at the finish line.

CONS

T-Shirts/Swag: They ran out of men's t-shirts. What I was given was a women's medium, that is essentially a crop top on me. Maybe my wife and I can turn it into a nice arts & crafts project, but I have no delusions of adding this to my rotation of shirts. The protein bar given was fairly disgusting, even by protein bar standards. The saving grace was the medal which is nice and heavy and bears the ABRaS running clubs seal. There are no other goodies of note, coupons for a local liquor store were handed out and on the car was a flyer for the next running event in the area, but this area is definitely lacking.

Cheer stations: This was one of the quietest running events I have ever seen. The lack of community surrounding the event was shocking to say the least. While there were random family members cheering on their loved ones, the general energy that surrounds these events was lacking. As far as an emotional edge, this was flat and it made the run noticeably harder.

Uncontrollable situations: Prior to the race, another event had begun set up in the middle of the start line. Where we were supposed to be funneling through to begin was the beginning of a boxing match, so the start was moved to the parking lot nearest the race course. I don't know if this will be a continual problem.

Trucks/Cars on the course: People trying to go to their boats were a major concern. Runners were forced to dodge vans or trucks of people heading to the marina without instruction or warning from the race officiants. While their overall job was good, this was a safety issue that can't be overlooked. Slower runners, like myself, found themselves pinned at times between the elite runners lapping them and vans moving without regard for the race at hand.

Unclear rules on passing: Since it was a looped course, you expect people to pass others. That expectation is even greater when you see the elite pack that was present at the event from around the world. What you don't expect is such an unclear procedure for passing that there are people nearly running into or running over each other.

While there are things that are obviously lacking, it was a great race. My first real race in over a year and has the benefit of being hosted by a competent group in a lovely place. I'd recommend it to anyone that wants to give it a try.

You can check out another review and the rest of my pictures at: http://www.gowithjordan.com/?p=423

The original race registration said that everything started at 6 pm, but an email came out encouraging people to get there at 5, stating that there would be "fun and free items", something not uncommon with these fun runs.

When we got there, the running community that I was so used to was closed off, unfriendly and spread out. The park wasn't set to have a run of any kind and people who showed up were actually bothering families fun as they played in the water park. While you do get to see the mountain Jebel Hafeet the whole time, the park is small and whatever you know about races at home forget it here.

The start time was pushed back for reasons that still aren't clear and water wasn't provided. Instead, there were people handing out Red Bull as they were one of the sponsors of the event. After a 20 minute delay we were corralled near a DJ booth and given the general plan for the race. At the start line, without countdown or fanfare we just started.

Miles 1 and 2 are a hybrid course. You run 1 mile on the road and mile 2 on loose sand trails. The sand trails will take you into the desert at the base of the mountain and you will be in complete darkness. The course is lit with glow sticks on the sides. Many runners reported seeing or hearing snakes, so keep your head up. Also worth noting is there are a lot of rocks hidden or semi buried, so a running light could be your best friend.

Mile 3 is submerged. And not in a small splash then more land kind of way. They weren't clear on what the "get wet" thing meant, but apparently it meant running/trudging for a mile through their kayak course. The rocks are slippery and it's nearly impossible to see in, normally to the left of the barriers you have to jump over there is a small platform you can step on to. If you are a short person, do yourself a favor and stay in a pack, at 6'1' some of the water was up to my waist, some of the smaller people were chest high.

At the end of the race, it just ends. No finish line, no funnel, no cheering, just a lot of irritable people. You have the option to run to the finish or swim from the other side of their wave pool.

See the full review with pictures and more here: http://www.gowithjordan.com/?p=448

The turn onto Michigan avenue is one of the most memorable running moments of my life. There is more joy, love and celebration in that cheer section than you might see all year and because of that, this race is more than worth it, it's one you should plan to do every year you are able.

It was my first major expo, the food trials, products and general information was incredible. Every turn was a new protein bar to try or a new bit of compression gear, ultimately I was able to skip lunch because I was overloaded on samples. The sheer size of it in McCormick place is impressive, but also is a great reminder of the size and spirit of the running community. The lines, because there are definitely lines wherever you go, are are full of chatty runners discussing everything from pacing to their plans for post run dinner.

The actual course serves as a trial for those running the Chicago marathon, but also a running tour of the city, you start outside Grant Park and make your way over the river, winding through Chicago's popular downtown hot spots and lesser known areas. There are aid stations well spaced out and cheer stations intermittently from multiple organizations and family members. If you're expecting a whole lot of rock and roll, you might want to lower your expectations. The loneliest quietest stretch comes when you are heading south on the course, there is a long stretch where the only sounds you will h ear are teh pants and footfalls of other runners, but it livens back up for the home stretch. From a traffic officer proudly yelling "you're almost there, welcome to the south side" to the final push past Lake Shore Drive, the end of the race is a monster that will test your resolve and training, but it's worth it.

While any chance you get to run in Chicago should be considered, the sheer size and overall quality of this race demands that you find a way in.