After an epic month of health and fitness, the seventh edition of Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) has concluded, recording a staggering 2,406,181 participants across its action-packed 30-day calendar of sporting events and activities.
Breaking records once again, the city-wide initiative by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, brought friends, families, visitors, colleagues, and neighbourhoods together to kick start healthier habits and embrace an active lifestyle. Smashing 2022 numbers, this year’s DFC drew people from all ages and sporting abilities, creating an inclusive atmosphere of health and wellness across Dubai and leaving a lasting impact on everyone who committed to the challenge – 30 minutes of daily exercise for 30 days.
Running from 28 October to 26 November, DFC featured three fitness villages – the returning and much-loved DP World Kite Beach Fitness Village, and brand-new RTA Mushrif Park Cycle Centre and Run and Ride Central. Serving as central hubs for fitness enthusiasts to gather and explore a multitude of activities, these villages welcomed close to 400,000 visitors throughout the Challenge, who experienced a diverse range of fitness offerings and enjoyed a sense of camaraderie with fellow participants. In addition, 26 community fitness hubs played a pivotal role in engaging and inspiring individuals at a grassroots level. These hubs provided accessible platforms for fitness and wellness, ensuring visitors embraced the spirit of DFC within their own neighbourhoods.
Providing truly epic opportunities to experience the city like never before, DFC also featured two mega events which closed the iconic Sheikh Zayed Road to traffic so that people could cycle and run through the heart of Dubai. The fourth edition of Dubai Ride, presented by DP World, welcomed an impressive 35,000 plus cyclists, collectively covering a staggering distance of over 546,000 kilometres. Cementing its position as the region’s largest community cycling event, it brought together cyclists of all ages and abilities, promoting a greener and healthier mode of transportation while showcasing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Making history once again, the fifth Dubai Run, presented by Mai Dubai, set new records and consolidated its position as the world’s largest community fun run. In an extraordinary display of community spirit, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed led 226,000 participants in a wave of orange Sun and Sand Sports t-shirts. The collective energy and determination added to the remarkable success of the event, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose, and drawing DFC 2023 to a thrilling close. Together with UAE astronauts Dr. Sultan Alneyadi and Hazzaa Almansoori, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed joined the wider community on the 10 km route in a shared passion for fitness. Joining the run were also Dr. Al Neyadi’s fellow Expedition 69 crew members from his historic mission aboard the International Space Station, including American astronauts Stephen Bowen, Warren Hoburg, and Francisco Rubio, as well as Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopev, Dimitrii Petelin, and Andrei Fediaev. Their presence and participation served as a powerful testament to the transformative power of embracing a healthy lifestyle, acting as true inspirations to all. At the start of Dubai Run, astronaut Dr. Al Neyadi presented the Dubai Fitness Challenge flag to HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. The gesture symbolises appreciation for His Highness’ unwavering commitment to the wellbeing and happiness of the Dubai community by encouraging the adoption of sports as a crucial element in preserving human health.
In addition, Dubai Stand Up Paddle, presented by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), made its DFC debut, with all spots swiftly claimed and up to 1,000 participants taking to the serene waters of Hatta Dam whilst enjoying the breathtaking mountainous scenery.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), expressed his delight at the overwhelming response to the seventh DFC, saying: “Dubai Fitness Challenge has once again proven to be a transformational event, uniting our community in a shared commitment to health and wellness. The remarkable turnout and engagement reflect the growing enthusiasm for an active lifestyle among Dubai’s residents and visitors. We are proud of the positive impact this challenge has had on the physical and mental well-being of our participants. Its success would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our partners, sponsors, and volunteers. Their dedication and commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle played a crucial role in making this event an outstanding success. As Dubai Fitness Challenge wraps up its seventh year, its legacy will continue to inspire individuals to prioritise their health and well-being. The challenge has ignited a passion for fitness within the community, encouraging people to make long-term lifestyle changes that will benefit them for years to come.”
His Excellency Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, commented: “With more than 2.4 million participants joining Dubai Fitness Challenge this year, we have once again showcased our unwavering commitment to nurturing our collective physical and mental well-being. As a united community, we strive for a fitter and healthier future. DFC was conceived with the aim of providing everyone with the opportunity to explore the remarkable array of fitness facilities available in our city, while pushing boundaries and embracing an active lifestyle. The positive changes and healthy habits initiated during DFC need not conclude with the challenge itself. I urge everyone to use it as a springboard for lifelong health and wellbeing. The seventh edition of Dubai Fitness Challenge has achieved tremendous success, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in this remarkable accomplishment.”
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A month packed with events, fitness classes and activities across the city
This year, DFC introduced a number of exciting additions to its roster of events. One of the highlights was the inaugural Dubai South Ride and Run, which attracted over 1000 individuals for a day of fun, exercise and community. Another remarkable event was the high-intensity interval training class on Sheikh Zayed Road, organised by adidas and Les Mills, which not only broke a Guinness World Record™ but also brought together over 50 different nationalities for a dynamic workout led by renowned Les Mills presenters. The Dubai Padel Cup was another notable event, offering a diverse range of activities such as free public clinics, a junior programme, community tournaments, padel business talks, and a government tournament, with more than 8,000 individuals participating across the month. Additionally, the pulse-racing Tri in the Sky event at the iconic AURA Skypool was a calendar highlight, with 100 participants taking on this unique challenge – a 3km row on a static machine, followed by a 3km ride on a stationary bike, them concluding with a thrilling 250m swim around the 360-degree infinity pool, all from 200m in the air. There was also an intensive 2.5-hour Bodycombat marathon led by top instructors and internationally recognised Les Mills icons at the Dubai Silicon Oasis Fitness Hub, in partnership with Fitness First Dubai Silicon Oasis
Throughout DFC, participants also had access to an extensive range of thousands of fitness classes, events, and activities. From traditional sports like football and tennis to emerging fitness trends like aerial yoga and Padbol, from high-intensity workouts to mindful yoga sessions, they had the opportunity to explore and engage in their preferred forms of exercise, ensuring a holistic fitness experience for all. DFC also extended its impact beyond physical activity, with numerous retail offers promoting health and wellness products and services. Participants were able to take advantage of exclusive deals and discounts from a wide range of retail partners, encouraging them to embrace a healthier lifestyle beyond the duration of the challenge.
Keeping everyone motivated through partnerships with leading Apps and brands
In order to help everyone stay motivated across the 30 days, DFC partnered with a host of world-leading health and fitness apps including Your Fitness Coach, Wellbees, Steppi, Fitze, Coredirection, Fitbit, Les Mills, Enhapp, Fast, Countd, Hygear, Runkeeper and Technogym. Designed to get people moving and help Dubai become one of the world’s most active cities, DFC also collaborated with global sports brands including Puma, adidas, Reebok, Nike, fitbit, PepsiCo, Under Armour, Football School, Rajasthan Royals Academy and Milan Academy, showing their support with bespoke events and exclusive promotions. Schools across the city also got involved in the action with 30×30 sessions integrated into the curriculum along with visits to the Fitness Villages, aiming to instil good habits in the next generation. The challenge also engaged the corporate sector, with public and private sector companies joining the Challenge in recognition of how exercise can enhance employee well-being and productivity.
DFC’s continued growth drives fitness and wellness transformations in Dubai
More than 10 million people have participated in DFC since it launched in 2017. Over the last seven years, it has been the cornerstone of countless fitness and wellness transformations, serving as a constant pillar of motivation for the community. Since its inception, it has seen a steady increase in interest and engagement with the number of registered participants growing 206 percent from 786,000 in the inaugural event in 2017. Participants in Dubai Run increased from 70,000 runners in the first edition in 2019 to 226,000 in 2023, while cyclists taking part in Dubai Ride increased from 20,000 in 2020 to 35,000 in this year. The annual initiative makes Dubai the only city in the world that offers its citizens and visitors an entire month of free and inclusive fitness classes, activities and events, which are easily accessible across the emirate.
DFC spurs remarkable growth in the city’s sporting and fitness infrastructure
Since its debut in 2017, DFC has sparked remarkable growth in the city’s sports facilities and events. The initiative’s emphasis on promoting an active and healthy lifestyle has spurred the development of state-of-the-art facilities and venues across the city, with a surge in the construction of modern sports complexes, fitness centres, and outdoor recreational spaces. Today, Dubai proudly offers multiple free outdoor workout areas, expansive running and cycling tracks, gyms, swimming pools, sports arenas and more. The commitment to fitness and well-being fostered by DFC has transformed Dubai into a vibrant, accessible and affordable fitness destination, offering world-class facilities and opportunities to engage in various physical activities.
The spirit of partnership propels DFC towards a healthier future for the community
DFC continues to receive overwhelming support from partners across both the public and private sectors, underscoring its collaborative ethos. With the shared vision of fostering a healthier society, these partnerships help fortify DFC’s mission to inspire individuals to prioritise their well-being and collectively shape a fitter future for the community.
Organised by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Sports Council, this year’s official DFC entities include Presenting Partners DP World, Dubai South, Mai Dubai, and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Association Partners Sun and Sand Sports, Blue, Dubai Chambers, Emirates Airline, Emirates NBD, Etisalat by E&, La Roche Posay, MIRA Developments, Mubadala Health, Optimum Nutrition, talabat, Shamal – Kite Beach and Emaar; Official Partners Aster Hospitals, Clinics and Pharmacy, Arabian Automobiles Co, Cigna, Emarat, Lipton, SIRO and TechnoGym; Media Partner Arabian Radio Network (ARN); and Government Partners Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Event Security Committee, Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, and Emirates Schools Establishment.
For more information and to get inspired for next year’s challenge, please check out our socials and visit www.dubaifitnesschallenge.com.
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