Zayed Charity Run: 70-member UAE team takes humanitarian mission to Budapest
Hero’s Square to host two-day celebration of charity and community
ABU DHABI/BUDAPEST – A 70-member official delegation from the United Arab Emirates has departed for Budapest to participate in the first Hungarian edition of the Zayed Charity Run, carrying with it a message of generosity, solidarity and international cooperation.
The delegation includes members of the event’s organising committee, partners and sponsors, alongside Emirati runners taking part in the humanitarian initiative.
The event, scheduled for 16 and 17 May at Budapest’s historic Hero’s Square, marks another international chapter for a run that has grown into a globally recognised platform for charitable giving. Against one of Europe’s most iconic settings, the initiative aims to unite people from different backgrounds and nationalities around a shared cause that stretches beyond sport.
Known as “the kindest run in the world”, the event continues to build on a legacy inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and seeks to strengthen the culture of social responsibility and humanitarian cooperation across borders.
Budapest showdown
The Hungarian edition will transform Hero’s Square into a major gathering point for participants and visitors over two days. A scenic 10-kilometre route through the heart of Budapest will headline the sporting programme, accompanied by 5km and 3km races through the picturesque Városliget Park. A dedicated children’s race has also been included to broaden participation and encourage family involvement.
Organisers have also planned experiences beyond the races themselves. Families and visitors attending the event will be able to enjoy activities including hot air balloon rides, adding a festive atmosphere to the occasion.
Participants competing across the different race categories will contest a total prize pool of Dh70,000, creating an additional competitive element while maintaining the initiative’s core charitable mission.
Charity mission
Alongside the races, the event will feature a special online charity auction centred around a unique artwork created by renowned Emirati artist Abdulla Lutfi. Proceeds from the auction will contribute directly to the run’s humanitarian objectives.
The online auction will remain open until 3pm Budapest time on 17 May through the event’s dedicated platform. The initiative adds a cultural element to the sporting event and further broadens the avenues through which charitable contributions can be made.
As with previous editions, proceeds generated from the run are set to support charitable initiatives across Hungary, reinforcing the broader mission of helping communities and promoting a spirit of generosity.
Lieutenant General (r) Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, described the Budapest edition as another important step in the event’s international journey.
He said the initiative reflected the UAE’s belief that humanity remains a universal value capable of bringing people together and stressed that the gathering represented more than a sporting competition.
According to Al Kaabi, the event seeks to build bridges of goodwill and reinforce the values of compassion and cooperation that have shaped the initiative since its inception. He also highlighted the symbolic importance of the UAE’s participation and presence at an international event focused on humanitarian causes.
Zayed Charity Run
The Zayed Charity Run traces its origins back to 2001. It was established by UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to honour the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The inaugural event attracted widespread participation and became a tribute to the charitable values associated with the UAE’s Founding Father.
The initiative expanded internationally in 2005 with its first New York edition, where proceeds supported kidney research through the National Kidney Foundation. In 2014, the run reached Egypt and has continued to be organised there annually in partnership with relevant institutions.
During the 2025–2026 season, the Zayed Charity Run continued its international expansion through a series of events held across major cities. Editions were organised in Beijing in September 2025 as part of the Great Wall Marathon of Huairou, followed by Rio de Janeiro in October, Abu Dhabi in November, Cairo in December, Miami in January 2026 and Addis Ababa in May.
Budapest now serves as the final destination of the season’s international tour, extending the event’s footprint into another region and adding a new chapter to its global journey. The event is supported by multiple organisations and institutions including the UAE Embassy in Budapest, Erth Abu Dhabi, EDGE, Emirates and several regional and international partners, all contributing to the expansion and impact of the initiative as it continues travelling from city to city carrying a message rooted in compassion and humanitarian giving.