What started as a few friends hitting the trails together in 2022 has grown into one of Dubai's most formidable endurance communities. Wild Beasts DXB have built something genuinely different. Part run club, part endurance family, all heart. We put our questions to the team behind the beast.
Tell us a bit about your club – when did it start and what inspired its creation?
Wild Beasts DXB started in 2022 as a small group of friends who simply loved pushing limits together. What began as a few trail runs quickly grew into a proper endurance community. The inspiration was simple, create a space where people of all levels could challenge themselves, feel supported, and belong to something bigger than just a training group.
What makes your run club unique?
We are not just a run club. We are an endurance family. We mix trail, road, ultra, OCR, triathlon, strength work, and social runs under one roof. We show up for races in numbers, we volunteer, we marshal, we support each other’s goals outside running too. There’s structure, leadership, and standards, but there’s also fun, personality, and strong identity.
How would you describe your community in three words?
Resilient. Supportive. Relentless.
What’s a typical run session like with your club?
It depends on the day. Saturdays are usually trails, Sundays are road sessions. We might do hills, intervals, tempo work, or long steady efforts. We always brief the session, explain the purpose, and make sure different paces are supported. There’s structure, but no ego. And post run, you’ll usually find coffee, laughs, and a lot of photos.
How many members do you currently have, and what distances or types of running do you focus on?
We have over 300 members in our community group, with a strong active core that consistently shows up. We focus heavily on trail and ultra distances, but we also support 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, marathons, triathlons, Ultras and hybrid events. If it involves endurance, we’re interested.
What does the running community in Dubai mean to you?
Dubai’s running community is powerful. It’s diverse, ambitious, and constantly growing. People here balance demanding careers, family, fasting seasons, extreme weather, and still show up to train. That resilience is something special. Being part of that ecosystem is something we’re proud of.
How has your club helped bring runners together, especially new or first time runners?
We remove intimidation. No fees, no barriers. Just show up. New runners are guided, paced, and encouraged. We celebrate effort, not just speed. Many of our members started with a 5K and are now running ultras. That transformation is one of the most rewarding parts of leading the group.
Do you have any special traditions, post run rituals or memorable community events?
Yes, plenty. Post run coffee rituals. Kunafa nights during Ramadan. Big race turnouts where we take over podiums. Our Alpha Five recognition system to celebrate consistency. And the phrase “Because Flat Is Boring” has almost become a mindset for us, not just a slogan.
What role do you think running plays in building a stronger, healthier local community?
Running builds discipline, mental strength, and accountability. But more importantly, it builds connection. When people train together consistently, they build trust. That trust spills over into business, friendships, and support networks. A healthy running culture contributes to a healthier city.
How do you encourage inclusivity within your club from beginners to seasoned athletes?
We design sessions with multiple pace groups. We assign informal leaders within the pack. We check in on people. We celebrate improvement at every level. The fastest runner and the first time 5K runner are equally valued. That culture is intentional.
What’s been one of your proudest moments as a club?
Seeing our members stand on podiums in major local races as the largest represented team was powerful. But equally proud moments are watching someone who doubted themselves finish their first race. Both matter.
Do you have a favourite local race or route in the UAE?
Trail wise, the Hatta and Shawka routes are always special. They’re tough, technical, and honest. On the road, Dubai Marathon season has a unique energy. The mountains, though, always feel like home for us.
How do you think events like The Run Show can help strengthen the running community in the UAE?
Events like The Run Show bring brands, clubs, athletes, and beginners into one space. That creates exposure, collaboration, and growth. It also validates how far the running culture in the UAE has come. The more visibility the community gets, the stronger it becomes.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of joining a run club for the first time?
Don’t overthink it. Just show up. Nobody cares how fast you are on day one. Consistency beats talent. The hardest part is the first session. After that, you’ll wonder why you waited.
How do you see running culture evolving in the UAE over the next few years?
I see more specialization, more trail growth, more hybrid endurance events, and stronger club identities. I also see more women entering endurance sports confidently, which is something we actively support and encourage. The level will rise, and so will the standards.
What’s next for your club – any big goals, events or collaborations on the horizon?
We’re focused on strengthening our leadership structure, expanding smart partnerships, growing our presence at major endurance events, and developing more structured training blocks. Long term, we want Wild Beasts DXB to be recognized not just locally, but regionally, as a serious endurance community with heart.
Interested in joining Wild Beasts DXB? New members can join by following their WhatsApp group via the link in their Instagram bio or by messaging them directly for more details.