Beijing: The Great Wall Marathon of Huairou 2025 and Zayed Charity Run are poised to kick off tomorrow, marking a significant event that celebrates sport, culture, and community spirit on a global stage.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event will feature a flagship 10-kilometre race, a robot run, a 5-kilometre family run, and a dedicated run for People of Determination, all scheduled for 20th September. Approximately 2,000 runners are expected to participate. Following this, both the full marathon and the half marathon will take place on 21st September, with around 15,000 runners from various countries anticipated to join. A series of community and cultural activities will also occur from 19th to 22nd September.
This year's marathon is organized in collaboration with the People's Government of Huairou District, Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Athletics Association, and the Huairou District Sports Bureau, in partnership with the Zayed Charity Run and backed by the UAE Embassy to the People's Republic of China. It represents the largest sporting event ever held at the district level in Beijing and highlights the strengthening sports and cultural ties between the UAE and China.
The UAE Embassy in China has inaugurated the 'Al Bait Al Emarati' as a part of the event's accompanying activities. Hosted at the Mutianyu Great Wall of China from 19th to 22nd September, the 'Al Bait Al Emarati' cultural fair will present a rich array of cultural activities, offering visitors an immersive experience of authentic Emirati traditions.
Lt. Gen. (retired) Mohamed Helal Alkaabi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, emphasized the event's origins, stating, "The Zayed Charity Run was launched in Abu Dhabi in 2001 as a beacon illuminating the paths of giving." Since its inception, the run has evolved into an international event, carrying the name of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and promoting values of generosity and support for those in need globally.
Al Kaabi further noted that the run consistently supports local charities in each host city. For this year's Beijing edition, donations will benefit the Huairou District Women's Federation, the Huairou District Disabled Persons' Federation, the Red Cross Society in Beijing Huairou, and the Children's Welfare Institute in Huairou.
The Zayed Charity Run has expanded significantly since its launch, holding 22 local editions and several international ones, including in New York and Cairo. It has become a global symbol of the UAE's humanitarian and sporting missions, supporting patients with chronic illnesses and contributing to children's hospitals and medical research.
The upcoming 2025-2026 season will mark a notable expansion for the Zayed Charity Run, with six major international stops: China, Brazil, the UAE, Egypt, the US, and Hungary. This milestone reflects the race's growing global presence, as it will, for the first time, extend across three new continents - Asia, South America, and Europe - building on the success of its established editions.