Huairou Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run conclude with 17,000 participants in Beijing

Sports & Championship

Huairou Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run conclude with 17,000 participants in Beijing

The 2025 Huairou Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run concluded in Beijing after four days of sporting and cultural events that brought together nearly 17,000 participants from 26 countries. The event, held from September 19 to 22, celebrated athletic achievement while honoring the humanitarian legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The program featured a diverse mix of competitions, including a 10-kilometer flagship race, a 5-kilometer family run, a 1.4-kilometer race for People of Determination, and innovative robotics races hosted at Jinyu Xingfa Science & Technology Campus. The highlight was the main marathon and half-marathon on September 21, which started at the Yanqi Lake Convention & Exhibition Center and concluded at the iconic Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia set new records in the men’s and women’s marathon categories, respectively.

Beyond the races, the event emphasized cultural exchange and humanitarian values. The “Al Bait Al Emarati” showcase, organized by the UAE Embassy in Beijing, drew nearly 10,000 daily visitors with traditional Emirati cuisine, handicrafts, and folk performances.

Reinforcing its charitable mission, the event pledged a donation to Beijing Huairou Hospital, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to humanitarian cooperation.

His Excellency Hussain Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China, praised the event, saying: “What we have witnessed was more than a sporting event; it was a living embodiment of Zayed’s values of giving and cooperation. Sport has once again proven its power to build bridges between cultures.”

Lieutenant General Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Zayed Charity Run, added: “Since its founding in 2001, the Zayed Charity Run has spread a humanitarian message that transcends borders. The Beijing edition affirmed Zayed’s legacy of giving and showcased the unifying spirit of sport.”

Launched in 2001 in Abu Dhabi, the Zayed Charity Run has since expanded to international cities including New York and Cairo. To date, it has attracted more than 613,000 participants worldwide and raised over USD 173 million for humanitarian and health initiatives. The current 2025–2026 season is its largest expansion yet, spanning six countries across Asia, South America, and Europe.

The successful Beijing edition not only reinforced the UAE’s cultural diplomacy but also highlighted how sports can unite communities, promote well-being, and inspire global solidarity.