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DUBAI: The UAE race wholly dedicated to women and girls is back and this November, She Runs 2025 will once again touch the streets of Expo City Dubai, with thousands of runners expected to join.

Taking place on Sunday, Nov. 2, the event returns to the venue for the second year in a row, promising a race experience that blends purpose with progress.

“Expo City is a city of possibilities and that’s exactly what She Runs represents,” said Dr. Harmeek Singh, CEO of Plan B Group. “For every girl crossing the starting line, this isn’t just a race. It’s a beginning, for confidence, connection, and community.”

Now in its 12th year and newly rebranded from the Women’s Run, She Runs continues to break barriers and build bridges. With over 5,000 attendees to the event in 2024, including more than 2,000 school-aged girls, the event is fast becoming the most inclusive run movement in the region. This year, participation is expected to grow by 20 percent, reflecting the rising momentum around female-led wellness in the UAE.

At the heart of She Runs 2025 is its fan-powered Race Village, set within the grounds of Expo City Dubai at Al-Forsan Park. This year’s Race Village will feature interactive wellness zones, youth-led performances, family-friendly fitness challenges, and community art installations.

Guests will explore a vibrant marketplace of female-led brands, from sustainable fashion and health foods to tech-forward wellness solutions. There will be mindfulness tents, recovery stations, and mental health hubs, ensuring the event supports holistic wellbeing. Educators, coaches, and student leaders will also take the spotlight, creating a festival atmosphere where inspiration flows as freely as the miles covered.

She Runs 2025 offers race categories from 1K to 10K, including a dedicated Girls’ Run and route for People of Determination. This year’s theme, “For Voices. For Connection. For Change.”, reflects a commitment to empowering the next generation through community-driven health.

Registration is now open via www.sheruns.me and Premier Online.

CINCINNATI: Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka got their title defenses off to smooth starts as they powered into the third round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Saturday.

The men’s and women’s top seeds, each ranked number one in the world, were both competing for the first time since Wimbledon – where Sinner lifted the title and as Sabalenka bowed out in the women’s semifinals.

Sinner crushed Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1, 6-1 in steamy afternoon weather while Sabalenka beat 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-1 under the lights of the night session.

Sabalenka needed 54 minutes and a service break in the final game to clinch the opening set with a stinging winner.

The second set was more of a grind than the score suggested as she saved five break points for a 4-1 lead and recovered from 0-30 down in the final game before securing the win.

“It’s always a tough match against her,” Sabalenka said of the Czech opponent she has faced nine times.

“She pushed me to the limit. If you lose focus even a little bit it can cost you a set. I had to fight for every point against her,” added Sabalenka, who next faces Britain’s Emma Raducanu, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Olga Danilovic.

Meanwhile Sinner outclassed Colombia’s Galan with 17 winners and just four unforced errors.

Sinner won the opening five games in 15 minutes as he allowed his 144th-ranked opponent, who came through qualifying, little breathing room.

The victory in 59 minutes was the fastest of Sinner’s ATP career, beating his previous quickest by one minute.

Sinner claimed his 22nd consecutive win on hardcourt, last losing the Beijing final in September to rival Carlos Alcaraz.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Sinner said of his return to tournament action. “I’m happy because it’s not easy to play here.

“The ball is flying and you have to serve very precise if you want to go far in the tournament.

“Today I was finding my spots but there is still a little room to improve. For a first match it could not have gone better.”

After snapping up the first set Sinner broke to start the second before Galan clawed out a hold in a seven-minute game in which he fought off five break points.

But it was only a momentary reprieve. Sinner fired three aces to hold for 3-1 as he roared away again for the victory.

Fourth-seeded American Taylor Fritz eased past qualifier Emlilio Nava 6-4, 6-4 and seventh-seeded Holger Rune won his opener 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) over Russian Roman Safiullin.

But eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti and 11th-seeded Casper Ruud bowed out to French opponents.

Benjamin Bonzi defeated Musetti 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) while Artur Rinderknech beat Ruud 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2 – taking full advantage of Ruud’s 34 unforced errors.

Rinderknech was pleased with his success so far at his Cincinnati debut. “I stayed aggressive throughout the match,” he said. “You cannot let Casper start to dictate.”

In other women’s action, reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek earned an efficient opening win over Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-4.

Poland’s Swiatek has reached the final four at the last two editions but Cincinnati remains one of the two 1000-level tournaments – along with Canada – where she has never played a final.

The third seed moved into the third round in just 74 minutes, saving four of the five break points she faced.

“I wanted to play solid – but intense as well,” Swiatek said. “It was up and down in the second set. But in the important moments I got my level up to close out the win.”

Australian Open winner Madison Keys needed more than two hours to advance with a 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) over German Eva Lys, saving two match points at 5-6 in the deciding set.