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7 EMIRATES CHALLENGE
An individual Guinness world record attempt to cross the UAE by foot from the Saudi border to Fujairah, taking a 650km route through all 7 emirates
Start Date: 2nd March 2021
About
In early 2021, aspiring adventurer Sean Burgess will embark on a 650km journey from one side of the UAE to the other.
Running and walking for up to 20 hours a day, if Sean can finish within 7 days then he can claim the Guinness World Record for the ‘Fastest crossing of the United Arab Emirates on foot’.
Sean was motivated to attempt the 7 Emirates Challenge as a way to unify the people of the UAE following a difficult 2020, whilst inspiring others to take on their own challenges in the new year. Sean will be raising money for Soft Power Education.
Sean lives in the UAE with his wife Frankie, and is co-founder and COO of the tech start-up Emirates HR.
Follow Sean’s adventure on Instagram
The Route
The challenge starts at Al Ghuwaifat, where the UAE and Saudi borders meet.
From here, Sean will follow the E11 highway up the coast, through Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman to Umm Al Quwain.
The route then crosses from coast to coast, passing through the Ras Al-Khaimah emirate, before going over the Hajar mountain range to finish in Fujairah.
Altogether, the 650km route will travel from the west to the east of the UAE, passing through all seven emirates.
Part 1: The Desert
Start:Â Â Al Ghuwaifat, Abu Dhabi
Finish:Â Â Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi
Distance:Â Â 405-415 km
Time:Â Â 4 days
Getting from one side of Abu Dhabi to the border with Dubai will take almost 4 days, traveling along the quiet highway that separates the Empty Quarter from the Persian Gulf.
Over these first few days, Sean will push himself physically and mentally, aiming to cover over 110km each day and resting for only a few hours.
Part 2: The City
Start:Â Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi
Finish:Â Â Umm Al Quwain
Distance:Â Â 105-115 km
Time:Â Â 1-2 days
This section takes Sean through the cities of Dubai and Sharjah, into Ajman and finishing in Umm Al Quwain.
It’s the shortest part of the trip, but due to navigating far more congested roads, Sean’s pace will likely drop.
There will be several opportunities for supporters to join Sean to walk and run parts of this section.
Part 3: Coast-Mountains-Coast
Start:Â Â Umm Al Quwain
Finish:Â Â Fujairah Corniche, Fujairah
Distance:Â Â 115-125 km
Time:Â Â 1-2 days
The final section takes Sean from the west to the east coast, traveling across the Hajar mountains on his way.
This will be Sean’s final test as he climbs 600m in elevation to cross the mountain pass.Â
To beat the record, he will need to push his pace across this difficult terrain, with the prospect of missing the 7 day cut-off always on his mind.
Fundraising
A key part of attempting this challenge is fundraising for the chosen charity Soft Power Education, whose mission is to improve the quality of life of Ugandan children.
The fundraising process will be supported by Gulf for Good, a UAE-licensed organisation, and the donations processed via Yalla Give, a UAE-based online fundraising platform.
To donate, please click the button below and help us reach our target.Â
Important note: none of the donations via Yalla Give will go towards the challenge costs.
About Soft Power Education
Soft Power Education is a British registered charity and Ugandan NGO who support the most disadvantaged children in some of the country’s poorest regions.
This charity work includes a Special Needs Program that works with children with disabilities who are often ostracized from society and helps them realise their individual potential.
The monies raised by Sean through the 7 Emirates Challenge will go towards this program, whilst also supporting the incredible work this charity does in Uganda.
Website:Â www.softpowereducation.com/
About Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good is an inspiring charity that organises life-changing challenges where the participants raise essential funds for projects that support underprivileged children around the world.
In the past fear years they’ve taken multiple groups up Kilimanjaro and to Everest Base Camp, walked the Great Wall of China, cycled through Vietnam, amongst many others challenges, whilst raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for projects across Africa, Asia, and South America.
To see their 2021 challenges and get involved, please check out their website: www.gulf4good.org/
Corporate Sponsors
Sponsorship Opportunities
Corporate sponsorship is key to ensuring that a challenge like this is well supported, which helps maximise the chances of success.
We hugely appreciate all of the sponsors that have chosen to be a part of this challenge and welcome more to be a part of our journey.
Types of Sponsorship
1. Financial sponsors provide monetary support to the challenge, which provides ultimate flexibility to help cover the challenge costs.
2. In-Kind sponsors provide equipment, supplies and services for the preparation and completion of the challenge.
3. Media sponsors commission social media and blog posts to attach their brand to the challenge.
More Information
For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sean directly at sean@emirateshr.com