DUBAI // Residents are being asked to take a walk in the park to raise awareness of diabetes and promote healthy living.
Organisers of the fifth annual Beat Diabetes Walkathon initiative, at Dubai’s Zabeel Park on Friday, hope it will bring the community together to educate people about the condition in a fun way.
The 2-kilometre walk starts at 8am. Afterwards, participants will be encouraged to have a free blood-glucose test, administered by medical professionals.
Sport massages will be on offer to ease tired limbs, along with yoga sessions to help walkers relax.
There will also be Zumba workshops, live music and an entertainment zone for children, offering free activities such as face-painting, balloon-bending, arts and crafts and magic shows.
Participants with an adventurous streak can scale new heights of exercise on a climbing wall, ride a rodeo bull, or try a variety of competitions to win shopping vouchers and a three-month gym membership.
Registration for the event is available at the Oasis Centre, Centrepoint, Home Centre, Max, Fitness First outlets and iCare Clinics.
You can also register online at beatdiabetes.me.
The walkathon starts from Area A, Gate 1. The gate will open at 7am.
About 745,000 UAE residents – one in 10 of the population – suffer from diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation.
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