Hatta Raises Its Game For Yet Another Hosting Of The Spartan Race

The roads weaving through the ruggedly beautiful Hatta landscape have been a preferred getaway for UAE residents and international visitors keen to connect with nature. A magnet for adventure seekers, Hatta’s undulating terrain keeps trekkers, bikers and water sports enthusiasts alike coming back for more. Bands of motorbike riders of diverse nationalities soaking up the sights as they go thundering by on gleaming machines are a common sight, too.

Perched amid the Hajar mountains, Hatta offers a completely different take on Dubai – stunning yet refreshingly serene. The Hatta reservoir offers picture postcard views of green waters framed against the mountains. The lovingly restored Hatta Heritage Village is a must see with its ancient defensive tower, stone houses with palm fronds for roofing, and falaj, the traditional irrigation system. It is only natural then that the Spartan Race, which celebrates human fortitude in the face of obstacles and adversities, is headed to Hatta a third time. More than 3,500 participants belonging to 30 nationalities are expected for the riveting sporting spectacle. Organisers expect international participants to make up 30% to 35% of the field.

Dubai’s growing tribe of fitness enthusiasts have come out a more determined lot and in ever greater numbers at every edition since picking up the Spartan Race gauntlet back in 2015. The Spartan Race will be back at Wadi Bih Hatta from November 25 to 26, five years after Hatta’s last hosting of the highly anticipated event, which this time features the Hatta Trifecta Weekend. There will be six different race categories for participants of all age groups and fitness levels. The Elite Race on 26 November will be the most competitive one while also showcasing sportsmanship and camaraderie in equal measure. Last year, the Spartan Night Race in Dubai was held in the dark, presenting an added challenge to what is arguably the toughest race in the whole of the Middle East.

Dubai ranks among the top tourism destinations worldwide with new attractions being added to the mix each year. Plans in place to promote tourism and adventure sports in Hatta align with Dubai’s quest to become the best place to live, work and visit for people from every corner of the world. Official recognition of Dubai’s prime popularity came with it being named the Most Popular Destination of 2022 by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Hatta is also a centrepiece of a grand development blueprint for the emirate, the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. The Hatta Master Development Plan focuses on preserving Hatta’s natural environment, boosting its tourism competitiveness, and developing the area through partnerships with the private sector.

Earlier this year, 14 projects undertaken as part of the first phase of the master plan were approved by the leadership. The second phase of the plan, which features 22 projects, was also green-flagged. The completed projects are already making a stir among tourists and adventure sports lovers alike.

His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, welcomed the return of the Spartan Race to Hatta. “The return of the Spartan Race to Hatta and the enthusiastic public participation it has always evoked speaks volumes for the charm of this locale for participants of all nationalities. Hatta’s immense potential as a sports tourism destination is highlighted by the number of sports events and new infrastructure projects it routinely attracts. The leadership’s vision to ensure that tourism and adventure sports translate into solid benefits for Hatta’s economy is driving this transformation.”

The Hatta Master Development Plan, which envisions the development of the area over the next two decades, aims to transform Hatta into a year-round tourist destination in line with the World’s Coolest Winter campaign while also promoting the wellbeing of its residents and generating new investment opportunities.

Projects completed in the first phase include an 11.5-km cycling and mountain bike track, besides implementation of steps to upgrade roads and streamline traffic and parking arrangements in key tourist areas. Provision of public and shared mobility solutions, such as e-hailing and shared rental services, in tandem with private players as well as the construction of bus shelters and mobility hubs, parking facilities and a transportation hub are among other highlights.

Other completed projects include an urban design guide for construction in Hatta’s unique mountainous landscape, apart from the Hatta Souq and Hatta Heritage Village.

Sustainability goals

The plan also envisions massive improvements in public facilities and services in the interest of the local community along with a sustainable transportation system. Sustainable hotels that support tourism and sports activities are also part of the plan.

One of the key objectives of the strategic projects is to transform Hatta Beach into an all-season tourist destination that caters to residents and visitors alike. The waterfront of the Hatta beach now features a variety of recreational amenities, services, and activities that cater to the diverse demands of visitors.

The Hatta Waterfalls will make for a new attraction in the vicinity of Hatta dam. Another big draw will be a 5.4-km cable car network that will take visitors from the dam right up to Umm Al Nusour, the highest peak in Dubai. The projects also include a mountain tramway to improve accessibility to Hatta dam.

Variety of projects

A variety of other projects and initiatives are in the pipeline, such as the restoration of Wadi Lim Lake, and the installation of seasonal kiosks, food carts, facilities, walkways, and rest areas aimed at enhancing investment opportunities and promoting tourism in the area.

Hiking tracks are on the cards along some mountainous stretches to facilitate leisure and sporting activities. Efforts are also being made to feature Hatta’s archaeological sites, such as the Hatta tombs dating back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, as well as the Falaj Al Shari’a in Hatta, in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Other projects and initiatives that are in the offing include world-class mountain bike routes and rest zones. A cycling track will link key sites of interest in the region, while traffic management and landscaping strategies will be drawn up.

Entrepreneurship and youth projects have been given a support system via an SME Hub. The facility seeks to assist small and medium-sized business owners and encourage the youth of Hatta to realise their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Phase I of the plan also included the planting of over 13,000 native varieties of trees across the region. A dedicated programme to support local farmers is also taking root. A host of events and programmes to support the cultural, tourism and sporting sectors are setting the tone for Hatta’s future.