Joining 15,000 Participants in the Zayed Charity Run and Huairou Great Wall Marathon
Abu Dhabi – Huairou, Beijing, September 2026: The Organizing Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, in partnership with the Government of Huairou District of the People’s Republic of China, has announced the completion of preparations for the 2026 Zayed Charity Run and Huairou Great Wall Marathon, scheduled to take place on 27 September in Huairou, Beijing, for the second consecutive year.
The event will bring together 15,000 participants, including 50 Emirati runners, in a celebration that combines sport, humanitarian action and stronger bonds between peoples. Following the success of last year’s edition, the return of the event further strengthens the Zayed Charity Run’s presence in China and advances its global mission of giving and serving communities.
The event is organized in cooperation with the People’s Government of Huairou District of Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Athletics Association and the District Sports Bureau, in partnership with the Zayed Charity Run and with the support of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Beijing, alongside the sponsorship of leading UAE companies, including ADNOC, L’IMAD, Mubadala and EDGE. The programme features the main 42-kilometre marathon and the 21-kilometre half marathon, with the run classified as an A1-level event by the Chinese Athletics Association.
Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, said the return to Beijing for a second consecutive year reflects the success of the previous edition and the growing confidence in the run as an international platform that brings together sport and humanitarian values.
“We return to Beijing with preparations complete for a new edition, welcoming 15,000 participants, including 50 Emirati runners, in a scene that embodies the power of sport to unite people around a purpose that transcends competition. Through this edition, we are building on the success achieved last year, while the Zayed Charity Run continues at every destination to carry the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, and his enduring values of extending a helping hand and serving humanity. “Giving remains at the heart of the Run’s mission in every edition.
He added: “We are proud of our growing partnership with our Chinese partners and the organizing authorities, and of the close cooperation that has enabled the Run to return for a second consecutive year. We look forward to the 2026 edition establishing the Zayed Charity Run as a global platform that brings people together through sport, giving and humanitarian action. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Beijing for its continued support and its role in strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Emirati and Chinese sides, contributing to the success of this initiative.”
This year’s event further reinforces its humanitarian mission by allocating 50% of the run proceeds to support Huairou Hospital, demonstrating the initiative’s commitment to creating a tangible community impact and translating the values of giving into direct support for the local community.
This approach reflects the principles upon which the Zayed Charity Run was founded, transforming a passion for sport into a force for giving and harnessing international partnerships to serve humanity. As runners set off against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic historic landmarks, the participation of the UAE delegation, alongside thousands of runners from China and around the world, sends a clear message: the legacy of Sheikh Zayed in kindness and giving knows no borders, reaching hearts and creating an enduring impact long after the race has ended.
ABOUT ZAYED CHARITY RUN:
Renowned as “Run for Kindness,” the story of the Zayed Charity Run began in Abu Dhabi in 2001.
Established by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, the initiative was created to honour the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Its inaugural edition in 2001 brought together a large number of participants in celebration of the Founding Father’s enduring values of generosity, compassion, and humanitarian giving.
The first New York edition of the Zayed Charity Run was held in 2005, with proceeds donated in support of kidney research through the National Kidney Foundation in New York City, in coordination with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington.
In 2014, the run expanded to Egypt, where it has continued to be organised in collaboration with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Egypt, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.
In recent years, the Zayed Charity Run has continued to expand its global presence through editions held in major international cities, including Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Addis Ababa, and Budapest. Each edition carries forward the initiative’s humanitarian mission, bringing communities together through sport while supporting charitable causes and promoting the values of compassion, unity, and giving.
As its international journey continues, the Zayed Charity Run remains a global platform inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the UAE’s enduring commitment to humanitarian action.
