Dubai couple runs marathon on their balcony
Dubai, Mar 28 (efe=epa).- Two Dubai residents on Saturday completed a unique marathon as they ran their 19-metre terrace 2,220 times amid the coronavirus lockdown.
The South African couple streamed the marathon on social media to encourage people to exercise at home.
Collin Allin and his wife Hilda began the marathon at 6 am local time and needed four hours to finish the 42.2 km.
“Just want people to focus on something else, as athletes we are trained to overcome adversity and so doing something completely crazy to prove that although we are up against all odds we will survive,” Collin Allin, 41, told EFE.
Their objective is to help connect people with a hope they are inspired to remain positive, he said.
“Mental health is real and we need to stay active and busy to avoid a negative spiral,” the brand manager for a famous sporting sunglasses company added.
“I am working on a global 5 km indoor run… and we can work out together and raise money to help fight this invisible enemy. Hoping it is the largest indoor running event in the world,” he added.
The UAE authorities have urged people to work out and stay in shape at home.
On the avenues of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, foreign residents used to run and exercise whenever suitable.
These outdoor activities have been banned; while gyms and sport clubs have been shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Earlier this week, the government imposed a curfew from 8 pm to 6 am local time to disinfect streets and public places.
UAE is one of the Arab world’s most touristic countries and its its airports are among the busiest in the region.
UAE has reported 405 coronavirus cases and two deaths. EFE-EPA
oad/ta/jt
