Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi's expanding portfolio of wellness-focused infrastructure has reached new heights, literally, after a property managed by Alain secured a Guinness World Records title for the highest running track on a building.
Officially certified on 11 June 2026, the track sits 179.7 metres above ground level atop Al Ain Tower, offering panoramic views of the capital alongside its fitness facilities. The achievement adds to Alain's existing portfolio of records, which includes the highest outdoor infinity pool and the highest occupiable skybridge floor, both located at the Address Beach Resort in Dubai.
To commemorate the milestone, Alain released a campaign film featuring Yahya Al Ghassani. The Shabab Al Ahli and UAE national team winger was among the first athletes to run on the track following its official certification.
The record-breaking project aligns with Abu Dhabi's wider urban planning strategy, which increasingly integrates health and wellness into property developments.
Real estate must offer more than just physical spaces, said Rabih Karam, Group Chief Executive Officer of Alain. He noted that by creating outdoor experiences that promote active living within urban environments, developers can create places that inspire and enhance everyday life.
This focus on wellness is backed by the emirate's Healthy Living Strategy, launched in November 2025 by the Department of Health.
The strategy places physical activity at the centre of public health policy, with more than 20 cross-sector initiatives approved in its initial phase.
The strategy capitalises on Abu Dhabi's rapidly growing sports infrastructure. A dedicated sports district on Hudayriyat Island has transformed the coastline into an active hub featuring cycling loops and adventure sports facilities.
The site will also host the Hudayriyat Velodrome, the region's first UCI Category 1 indoor cycling track. Currently under construction, the venue will feature a climate-controlled arena, 3,500 spectator seats, and a 600-metre rooftop ramp.
In central Abu Dhabi, urban spaces are adapting to the climate. Al Khalidiyah Park features a 660-metre air-conditioned running track that allows for year-round training during the summer.
The capital's active landscape also includes the Yas Marina Circuit, which opens to the public for fitness nights, and the 8-kilometre Corniche waterfront promenade.
For endurance athletes, the emirate offers tougher terrain. The Jebel Hafit climb has become a benchmark route for road cyclists, while desert routes around Al Wathba and Liwa regularly host long-distance training and adventure events.
This drive to improve liveability is supported by substantial government funding. In September 2025, the Abu Dhabi Executive Council allocated Dh42 billion for a new phase of community projects. This follows an earlier investment cycle that delivered 283 kilometres of cycling tracks and nearly 120 kilometres of walking paths alongside new parks and sports courts across the emirate.
