Zayed Charity Run returns to Brazil with 50 Emirati runners
Rio event will support education, culture and social inclusion initiatives
ABU DHABI – Fifty Emirati runners will participate in the second Brazilian edition of the Zayed Charity Run, which will take place on 23 August 2026 at Flamengo Beach in Rio de Janeiro.
A delegation from the Zayed Charity Run, led by Lt. Gen. (r) Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee, has travelled to Rio de Janeiro ahead of the event. The race is being organised by the Zayed Charity Run and Erth Abu Dhabi, with support from the Embassy of the UAE in Brazil.
Zayed Charity Run
The event is backed by several prominent UAE companies, including L’imaad, Emirates Airline and Mubadala. Organisers said the Run is expected to bring together professional athletes, amateur runners, families and participants from different nationalities, combining sporting participation with a humanitarian purpose.
Registration proceeds will support Grupo Cultural AfroReggae through the Criança Esperança programme. The initiative focuses on education, culture and social inclusion, while creating opportunities for children and young people in participating communities.
Race programme
The programme will begin with entertainment activities, followed by the official ceremony, including the national anthem, welcome remarks and a participant safety briefing. The 5 km and 10 km races will then get underway, with an awards ceremony scheduled afterwards.
The ceremony will recognise the leading male and female finishers, winners in special categories and other participants. It will also feature cash prize and Emirates Airline ticket draws, alongside acknowledgements for sponsors and partners.
A dedicated charity impact presentation will highlight the beneficiaries and social impact generated by the Run, before the event concludes with a closing ceremony. The 2026 edition has a total prize value exceeding BRL500,000 across the 5 km and 10 km categories. Raffles and community activities will also form part of the programme to encourage wider participation.
Lt Gen (r) Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi said the return to Brazil for the second edition reflects the growing international reach of the Zayed Charity Run and its mission to bring people together through sport, generosity and humanitarian action. He said preparations for the event had been completed.
“The Zayed Charity Run carries forward the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, whose belief in giving and service to others continues to inspire every edition,” Al Kaabi said. “Through the support of our partners in the UAE and Brazil, we are proud to strengthen this message and create a platform where communities can come together, contribute meaningfully and leave a lasting positive impact.”