The Dubai Fitness Challenge kicked off on Saturday, beginning a month of wellness activities taking place around the emirate.
One of the biggest events of the month is the Dubai Ride, an annual cycling race, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Taking over the 14-lane Sheikh Zayed Road, cyclists of all ages and fitness abilities were welcomed to take part in the free-to-attend event.
A total of 40,327 cyclists turned out for the event, which is up from 37,130 people in 2024.
The race began at 5am, with several starting points. Ahead of the event, the Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority announced road closures would be implemented from 3am until 10am on Sunday morning. Cars from the Dubai Police super fleet, including a Tesla Cybertruck and a Rolls-Royce, enforced the road closure on Sheikh Zayed Road.
There were several racing routes available. The 4km flat Downtown family route followed Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, passing Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and Burj Khalifa. The more advanced 12km Sheikh Zayed Road route went from Dubai World Trade Centre, past landmarks including Museum of the Future and Coco-Cola Arena to Safa Park and back. It also included a climb over Dubai Canal Bridge.
The Speed Laps component returned after launching last year. Several experienced cyclists, who could maintain an average of 30kph, took part and were the first to take off in the morning.
Launched in 2017 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Dubai Fitness Challenge encourages residents to get up and move for a healthier lifestyle. This year, the month-long celebration of wellness is running until November 30.
Also known as the 30x30 challenge, it aims to get people to exercise for at least 30 minutes for 30 consecutive days. In support, many venues offer free or subsidised classes and sport sessions in addition to a packed calendar of community-led fitness activities.
There will be events running throughout the month, including the Dubai Stand-Up Paddle on November 8 and 9, taking place in Hatta Dam, as well as the Dubai Run on November 23. The run is the biggest event of Dubai Fitness Challenge and, like the Dubai Ride, takes over Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai Yoga will take place at Zabeel Park on November 30.
Fitness Villages will also return throughout the month, adding more activities and challenges. Alreem Alredha, manager of Dubai Fitness Challenge at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, told The National: “I'm very excited for the Fitness Villages. It brings people together and it's amazing to see the community spirit, just being able to enjoy some classes together and the fact that they are free.”
But the flagship events “are always a highlight”, Alredha says. “The fun part is getting Sheikh Zayed Road closed down and turned into a running or cycling track, it's amazing for the whole city to see.”
