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The women-only run club helping members find their feet in Abu Dhabi

Expat Chloe Robyn Wilson found her place in Abu Dhabi after creating the Stronger Together Run Club, which brings women together in a safe, connected environment to celebrate the power of fitness and movement.

NEED TO KNOW:

  • In just two years, British expat Chloe Robyn Wilson has grown a loyal fitness community of over 7,000 in Abu Dhabi.

  • Her Stronger Together Run Club embodies the emirate’s values of openness and inclusivity.

  • Abu Dhabi is investing around $2.5 billion into the development and safety of social infrastructure.

  • Investment also includes the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s cycle tracks, which now totals more than 1,200km in length.

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A leap of faith

Chloe is just one of around 2.2 million expats living in Abu Dhabi – more than half the total population, made up of over 200 nationalities. Together, they form a global and culturally diverse ecosystem.

These are the people who, by seeking a new way of living and working, often help drive both social and industry developments in Abu Dhabi. In Chloe’s case, it was her new love of running and a desire to find like-minded friends that led her to create the women-only fitness initiative, Stronger Together Run Club.

“Stronger Together came about from an Instagram Story,” reveals Chloe. “I posted about doing a run and, the next week, three girls showed up. After a few weeks, multiple routes around Abu Dhabi, and several social posts, it just took off.”

Two years since its inception, Stronger Together has a social following of over 7,000 and has hosted hundreds of free events, spanning running, Pilates, yoga, dance – even pre-loved workshops and litter clean-ups. It has built a community of women who not only share a passion for fitness, but also a place in Abu Dhabi’s story of togetherness.

Investment powers inclusivity

Chloe pins much of the success of Stronger Together on organic growth. There was no strategy behind it, just an honest invitation, encouraging people to join on their terms. “I really thought I was the only one who felt alone,” says Chloe. “But I wasn’t. Girls kept saying to me: “This is what we need in Abu Dhabi.””

The emirate is investing around $2.5 billion into the development of community sports facilities, parks, and recreational assets, including the Sheikha Fatima Park, a vibrant community space in the heart of the city. It’s an ongoing drive to ensure that residents have access to the infrastructure and resources they need to feel at home in the city.

“It’s the one place in the world where, if you have an idea, you get it in front of the right people, and you work hard, you can make it happen,” explains Chloe.

Abu Dhabi’s proactivity and constant evolution make it an incredibly special place to her, and one she feels is committed to the principles of lifting others and championing inclusivity. “It’s so inclusive. There are communities for everything you can imagine here.”

Community-run, mission-led

As Chloe continues to grow her initiative, she has added a dedicated cycling community to the Stronger Together franchise. Hosting twice-weekly meetups at Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi’s 5km world-class racetrack, demand is growing.

“There's a lot more interest in cycling, and I think Abu Dhabi is the perfect place to do it,” she reveals.

As part of an $11.4 billion investment in urban livability, Abu Dhabi has built over 240km of new cycling paths, bringing the total length of dedicated tracks to more than 1,200km. From the 30-kilometer desert track, Al Wathba, to the planned rooftop track at Velodrome Abu Dhabi on Hudayriyat Island, no two routes are the same.

And they’re accessible to all. Sporting events run across Abu Dhabi, bringing people of all fitness levels together, and often for free.

Like the Stronger Together Run Club, many of these include women-only sessions, creating the safe and welcoming environment that Abu Dhabi prides itself on. In fact, the UAE has been named among the top 25 countries for enabling a high quality of life for the last five years.

With more initiatives joining this expansive network of community groups, they’re only reaffirming Abu Dhabi as a destination for everyone – where inclusivity, activity, and social connection are guaranteed. For Chloe, this promise has allowed her to find a sense of belonging, and for Stronger Together, it means a future in which it can continue to inspire.
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