Mayhem Desert Heat, UAE’s first 2-day CrossFit festival, coming to Ras Al Khaimah

The four-time ‘Fittest Man on Earth’ Rich Froning Jr is headed to RAK.

Mayhem Desert Heat, a two-day CrossFit festival set for 12-13 November 2021, bringing together CrossFit pros and amateurs from across the world.

Just announced, the event will be held at Ras Al Khaimah’s Grove Village and Corniche.

The event is planned to be held annually, with this being the first of many to come. It’s being organised by RAK Leisurealong with Mayhem Nation, the first CrossFit Festival hosted by Mayhem Nation outside of the US.

In its first edition, Mayhem Desert Heat is expected to attract up to 160 pro and amateur athletes, who will battle it out over two-days, while being cheered on by spectators, for a world-class experience. Hosted by five-year individual CrossFit Games veteran Dan Bailey, participants will take part in a rigorous series of high intensity challenges based on body weight, gymnastics and free weights.

Participation falls across two categories, the first consisting of 40 international elite athletes and the second of 80 amateur athletes (those able to complete the challenges with the prescribed weight and reps). Judged by a panel of 20 experts in the sporting field, participants will compete in heats throughout the day to reach the men’s and women’s final and win a cash prize purse of $150K.

Mayhem Nation is am international brand run by Rich Froning Jr., four-time Fittest Man on Earth, and comprises of other recognised brands such as Mayhem Athlete, Mayhem Mindset and Mayhem apparel.

Those set for the event include one of Australia’s leading CrossFit athletes, Khan Porter, the Fittest US Woman – Hayley Adams, CrossFit twins – Spencer and Saxon Panchik, the fifth Fittest Man on Earth 2020 – Jeff Adler, Russian CrossFit Champion – Roman Khrennikov, the 2021 National Champion of Switzerland – Adrian Mundwiler, and South American Regional Champion and Olympian – Sasha Nievas.

In the lead-up to the event, Froning Jr. will host a series of workshops and masterclasses that athletes can attend and learn skills and tips from the Fittest Man in History. Power Monkey Fitness, the leading gymnastics and weightlifting training brand, will also conduct their signature Monkey Method Weightlifting seminar and a Gymnastic Clinic with Olympians Dave Durante and Chad Vaughn across the two-day event. Visitors can also enjoy a dedicated kids’ fitness area, live entertainment, participate in fitness challenges and refuel at an array of dining outlets throughout the festival.

We are proud to bring our first CrossFit festival to Ras Al Khaimah and join the Emirate’s portfolio of world-class sporting and adventure experiences. Our aim is to unite elite athletes and enthusiasts from across the world to celebrate and shine a light on CrossFit’s massive global growth over the past few years. The regional CrossFit community is ready for a challenge to push themselves even further, something that I have no doubt ‘Mayhem Desert Heat’ will do. The destination’s rugged and diverse landscape provides immense potential, and we are already looking forward to expanding and hosting the event on a larger scale each year,” says Froning.

RAK also hosts the world’s fastest half marathon that has been running for 14 editions, The Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, The Road to Ras Al Khaimah (final of the European Tour Challenge Tour), Tough Mudder, Ras Al Khaimah Terry Fox Run, Spartan Ras Al Khaimah Race, Desert Warrior Challenge, UAE Cycling Championship and the UAE Tour – all of which play a significant role in boosting sporting tourism in the Emirate. Multiple editions of Tough Mudder and Desert Warrior Challenge have also been hosted highlighting the growing popularity of the Emirate as a regional sports destination.

For the chance to compete amongst the greats and register for the online qualifier, interested athletes should go to Mayhem Desert Heat by September 13^th 2021.

Visit Mayhem Desert Heat and the Instagram platform for more information, as well as the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority social platforms for more outdoor activities across Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.