The eighth session of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2024, which concluded recently, recorded many records, led by the participation of two million 735 thousand and 158 people as a total number in all the sporting activities and events that took place during the challenge, with a growth rate of 14% over previous sessions, which represents the largest number. of participants at all.
This pioneering initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, was held during the period between October 26 and November 24, 2024, in various parts of the city, and brought together fitness enthusiasts. People of all ages and abilities can adopt a more active lifestyle by committing to 30 minutes of physical activity every day for 30 days.
Much larger numbers of participants participated in the challenge this year than in the 2023 session, while activities and events in 2024 helped friends, families and colleagues achieve their goals together, as an atmosphere of cooperation, competition and group participation prevailed in many activities. The next session of the challenge will be held from November 1 to 30, 2025.
Fitness for everyone
Dubai Fitness Challenge participants of all ages and fitness levels flocked to the three fitness villages: DB World Kite Beach 30 x 30 Fitness Village, in addition to the Dubai Municipality 30 x 30 Fitness Village in Zabeel Park, and the Dubai RTA 30 x 30 Village. Fitness at Al Warqa Park.
Each village offered a unique combination of free exercise classes, events, events, children’s areas and more, with 467,288 participants visiting the three locations throughout the challenge.
In addition, the Dubai Fitness Challenge reached local neighborhoods through 25 community centers, where 60,000 people benefited from free and varied sports activities, including exercise classes under the supervision of professional trainers in world-class facilities, held daily for 30 days.
Main events and rowing
The main events of the Dubai Fitness Challenge have become among the highlights of the city’s annual calendar of events, which include the Dubai Rowing Challenge sponsored by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, the Dubai Cycling Challenge sponsored by DB World, and the Dubai Running Challenge sponsored by Mai Dubai, bringing together residents and visitors. Together for unforgettable experiences.
The second session of the Dubai Rowing Challenge took participants on a free water adventure at one of Dubai’s most important landmarks, Hatta Dam, and included paddleboarding exercises, group challenges, yoga sessions at sunset, and kayaking, which is a new addition to the 2024 session. The challenge welcomed 2,330 Professional and novice participants, compared to 1,000 participants in last year’s course.
Bicycles
The Dubai Cycling Challenge also witnessed a record turnout, with the number of participants reaching 37,130 people, and provided amateur and professional cyclists with a unique opportunity to practice this sport among the most famous landmarks in Dubai, as part of the largest community cycling event in the region. This year, participants had the opportunity to choose from two distinct paths: a four-kilometre family-friendly path in downtown Dubai, or a 12-km path on Sheikh Zayed Road. The event also presented a fun “Speed Rides” challenge for professional riders, which helped participants demonstrate their skills by committing to maintaining an average speed of 30 km/h on Sheikh Zayed Road, before joining family and friends and participating in the main challenge.
Dubai Running Challenge
This year’s edition of the Dubai Running Challenge was a historic event, with 278,000 people participating in the event, and it included two tracks on Sheikh Zayed Road, 10 km long, and in downtown Dubai, 5 km long. The Dubai Running Challenge represented an ideal conclusion to the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2024, starting with His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum leading the participants on the 10-kilometre track.
The challenge also witnessed the participation of well-known international figures, such as international R&B star Jason Derulo, in addition to live music performances, DJs, paratroopers and paragliders using LED lighting and XFlight provided by XDubai, which created incredible scenes. An unforgettable event that concluded the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2024 in a way that impressed everyone.
Steady increase
Since the launch of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2017 until this year’s session, more than 13 million Dubai residents and visitors have participated in it, many of whom have benefited from acquiring more healthy habits, regular exercise, and consolidating the concept of community cohesion.
Over the course of previous sessions, there was a steady increase in participation and interaction rates, as the number of participants in the main events increased during the year 2024 compared to previous years. The number of participants in the Dubai Cycling Challenge increased from 20 thousand in 2020 to 37 thousand and 130 cyclists this year. While the number of participants in the Dubai Running Challenge increased from 70,000 people in 2019 to 278,000 people this year.
The Dubai Fitness Challenge aims to make Dubai one of the most active cities in the world, and its positive long-term impact is already beginning to appear.
According to Dubai Fitness Challenge data, participants witnessed an improvement in their physical and psychological health, as 18% of them confirmed that their physical fitness had improved, and 15% of them felt an improvement in their psychological health, with increased levels of self-esteem and decreased levels of stress for 14%. The results are even more convincing when it comes to the positive impact on sleep patterns, with more than four in five people (83%) stating that participating in the challenge had improved their sleep habits.
The most active city
Dubai is the only city in the world that offers its residents and visitors an initiative of this size for an entire month, including free fitness classes, activities and events that are specifically designed to support their health and quality of life. In addition, the Dubai Fitness Challenge has contributed to improving the infrastructure of the city itself, as the ongoing success of the initiative has led to enhanced development of facilities and destinations throughout Dubai. Fitness enthusiasts and those who want to adopt a more active lifestyle now have more options than before, with the ease of exercising outdoors in the multiple designated areas, in addition to the availability of wide running and cycling paths, gyms, swimming pools, sports fields and more. By reinforcing the general trend towards enhancing physical fitness and quality of life, the Dubai Fitness Challenge has transformed the city into a vibrant fitness destination, where everyone can follow a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Fight: A collective experience that inspired the entire city
The Secretary-General of the Dubai Sports Council, Saeed Hareb, said: “The Dubai Fitness Challenge was launched under the guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, to make Dubai one of the most Active in the world, with a focus on promoting community health. This year’s session witnessed the participation of two million 735 thousand and 158 people, bringing the total number of participants since the launch of the initiative to 13 million people. The challenge proved its ability to encourage Dubai residents and visitors to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle, through a group experience that inspired the entire city to promote physical fitness. I would like to congratulate everyone who contributed to the success of the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2024 and achieved their personal goals in this distinguished initiative.”
Al Khaja: Participation reflected the strength of our community’s cohesion
The Executive Director of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation, Ahmed Al Khaja, praised the participation rates in the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2024, and said: “The widespread participation in the Dubai Fitness Challenge this year was a true source of inspiration, as it reflected the strength of the interconnectedness of our society, and its firm desire to transform Dubai into one of the most Actively in the world, the challenge also contributed to bringing about a positive transformation in the lives of individuals and families. The eighth session was the largest and most comprehensive, giving more than 2.7 million people of different ages and physical abilities the opportunity to commit to and achieve the goals of the 30 x 30 challenge, and to all strive to follow a more active lifestyle, through simple changes in our daily habits, enabling us to enhance… Health and happiness, and gives a feeling of accomplishment that lasts a lifetime.”
He added: “The Dubai Fitness Challenge would not have achieved this great success without the support of our partners, sponsors and volunteers. Thanks to dedication and commitment to the shared vision of building a prosperous society, we have been able to improve people’s lives and make Dubai a healthier and more active city.”
5 notable figures from the eighth edition of the challenge
1- The number of participants increased by 14% compared to last year’s session.
2- Participation has exceeded more than 13 million people since the launch of the challenge in 2017.
3- 37,130 cyclists participated in the Dubai Cycling Challenge.
4- “Dubai Running Challenge” attracted more than 278 thousand people.
5- 2,330 participants in the Dubai Rowing Challenge.
