UAE delegation heads to Beijing for Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run 2026
Huairou event expected to draw around 15,000 participants from across the world
ABU DHABI – A UAE delegation of more than 100 members is preparing to travel to Beijing to participate in the second edition of the Great Wall Marathon of Huairou and Zayed Charity Run 2026.
The event is scheduled for 27 September in Beijing’s Huairou District and is expected to attract around 15,000 participants from China and other countries. The UAE contingent includes officials and representatives, along with 50 runners who will take part in the race.
The delegation is heading to the Chinese capital after weeks of preparation and training, marking the Zayed Charity Run’s return to Beijing for a second consecutive year. The participation combines an international sporting event with the initiative’s humanitarian mission, carrying forward the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and its emphasis on giving, solidarity and service to others.
Beijing return
The event is being organised in cooperation with the People’s Government of Huairou District of Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Athletics Association and the District Sports Bureau. It is being held in partnership with the Zayed Charity Run, with support from the Embassy of the UAE in Beijing.
A number of UAE companies are also supporting the event, including Erth Abu Dhabi, L'IMAD, EDGE, Mubadala, Emirates and ADNOC.
Lt. Gen. (r) Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, said the UAE delegation’s participation reflects the commitment behind its presence in Beijing.
“Travelling to Beijing with a 100-member UAE delegation, including 50 Emirati runners, reflects the commitment and sense of purpose behind our participation,” he said. “Our runners are not only representing the UAE on the course; they are also carrying with them the enduring legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the values of giving and service to humanity that remain at the heart of the Zayed Charity Run.”
Al Kaabi said the return to Beijing for a second consecutive year builds on the previous edition and the cooperation established with Chinese partners.
He added that bringing thousands of participants together through sport demonstrates how a shared sporting experience can support humanitarian efforts while strengthening links between communities.
Humanitarian focus
Humanitarian support remains a central element of the Beijing edition, with 50 percent of the Run’s proceeds allocated to Huairou Hospital. The contribution is intended to provide direct support to the local community, extending the event’s purpose beyond sporting participation.
The 2026 edition will take place against the backdrop of the Great Wall of China, bringing together runners from the UAE, China and other parts of the world. The setting will provide the backdrop for an event that combines international participation, endurance sport and charitable fundraising.
As the UAE delegation prepares to depart, its members will carry the UAE flag and the message of the Zayed Charity Run to the Great Wall. The 50 UAE runners will join a wider field expected to reach around 15,000 participants, while officials and representatives will accompany the contingent during the Beijing programme.
Zayed Charity Run
Known as the “Run for Kindness”, the Zayed Charity Run began in Abu Dhabi in 2001. Established by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the initiative was created to honour the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and promote values including generosity, compassion and humanitarian giving.
The first international edition took place in New York in 2005, with proceeds donated to kidney research through the National Kidney Foundation in New York City, in coordination with the UAE Embassy in Washington.
The initiative expanded to Egypt in 2014, where it has continued to be organised in collaboration with the UAE Embassy in Egypt, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Its international reach has grown further in recent years, with editions held in cities including Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Addis Ababa and Budapest. Each event has combined running with support for charitable causes, bringing participants and communities together around the initiative’s focus on compassion, unity and giving.