Dubai Fitness Challenge Sets New Records with Over 2.73 Million Participants

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

The 8th edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) has just finished, and it was a huge success. A total of 2,735,158 people joined the challenge, which is a 14% increase from last year. This shows that more and more people in Dubai are excited about staying fit and healthy.

The event took place from October 26 to November 24, 2024, and was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. The goal of the Dubai Fitness Challenge is to encourage people in Dubai to be more active by exercising for 30 minutes every day for 30 days.

This year, the challenge offered many fun and free fitness activities across the city. There were fitness villages, community hubs, and events in different parts of Dubai. More people joined in this year, making the event even bigger than last year.

Fitness Villages and Activities

The Dubai Fitness Challenge had three big fitness villages where people could take part in free activities. These fitness villages were set up at Kite Beach, Zabeel Park, and Al Warqa’a Park. Over 467,000 people visited these fitness villages to enjoy activities like exercise classes, sports games, and other fitness events. Besides the fitness villages, DFC also brought fitness activities to local neighborhoods. They set up 25 community hubs all over Dubai, where over 60,000 people joined activities and tried fitness classes led by professional trainers.

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Big Events

Some of the biggest events during the Dubai Fitness Challenge have become very popular. These include the Dubai Stand-Up Paddle, Dubai Ride, and Dubai Run. Each of these events attracted thousands of people, and many enjoyed taking part in fun activities and fitness challenges.

Stand-Up Paddle at Hatta

The second Dubai Stand-Up Paddle event at Hatta Dam was a big success this year. Over 2,330 people joined the event, which is more than double the number of people who joined last year. Participants enjoyed different activities like paddleboarding, yoga sessions, and kayaking, a new activity added this year.

Dubai Ride

Dubai Ride, which took place for the fifth time this year, also broke records. A total of 37,130 people participated, making it the highest number of participants ever. Cyclists could choose between a 4-kilometer route, which was perfect for families, or a longer 12-kilometer route along Sheikh Zayed Road. This year, the event also included speed laps for professional cyclists who wanted to challenge themselves even more.

Dubai Run

Dubai Run was another very popular event. It brought 278,000 people together for an exciting and fun run. There were two routes to choose from: a 5-kilometer route for beginners and a 10-kilometer route for those who wanted to run farther. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed also took part in the 10-kilometer run and led the way with other participants. The event had many fun surprises, including live performances and special guests, like famous singer Jason Derulo, aerial displays, and much more.

Helpful Apps and Maps

To make it easier for people to enjoy the challenge, DFC created an interactive map. The map showed all the locations where different activities and events were happening. Participants could use the map to find fitness activities near them. The challenge also had fitness apps like Whoop, Technogym, and ASICS Runkeeper. These apps helped people track their progress and stay motivated throughout the challenge.

Impact of DFC

The Dubai Fitness Challenge has had a big impact on the health and fitness of people in Dubai. Since it started in 2017, more than 13 million people have joined. This year, many people said they felt fitter, healthier, and happier after taking part. They also reported that they were sleeping better and feeling more energetic.

Dubai Becoming a Fitter City

Thanks to events like the Dubai Fitness Challenge, Dubai is quickly becoming one of the most active cities in the world. The city has more and more places where people can stay active, such as fitness centers, sports courts, and special fitness parks. The Dubai Fitness Challenge is helping encourage people of all ages to make exercise a part of their daily lives.

Looking Ahead to the Future

The success of the Dubai Fitness Challenge shows how important it is for everyone to stay active and live a healthy lifestyle. The challenge has been a great way to bring people together, no matter their age or fitness level. Dubai is on its way to becoming an even fitter and healthier city, where everyone can enjoy taking care of their health.

Saeed Hareb, the Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, praised the success of the Dubai Fitness Challenge. He said it helped bring people together and made Dubai a healthier city. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, also praised the event. He said it was inspiring to see so many people joining in, and he thanked all the partners and volunteers who helped make the event a success.