Dubai Fitness Challenge 2019 attracts record 1.1 million people

The annual event encourages residents to commit to 30 minutes of exercise a day

The inaugural Dubai Run formed part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge. Satish Kumar / The National

Dubai Fitness Challenge came to an end on Saturday and the numbers are in: a record 1.1 million people took part.

The annual challenge pushes people to commit to 30 minutes of physical activity every day for 30 days.

A total of 1,108,890 residents and visitors joined the event for its third year, which ran from October 18 to November 16, according to the government's news agency Wam.

More than 30,000 also people visited 11 fitness hubs across the city for activities ranging from water sports to martial arts.

This year’s Dubai Run 30x30, part of the fitness challenge, saw 70,000 people take part.

"To witness such incredible participation from the city for this year’s Dubai Fitness Challenge is an immensely inspiring moment for us all, as it showcased the solidarity of our society and the unwavering commitment of our people to an active lifestyle,” said Helal Al Marri, the director general of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

“The aim has always been to create an inclusive movement for all, and it’s our belief that providing convenience and access can and will motivate habitual changes to lifestyle.''

The initiative was launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed in 2017 to encourage people to get people into the habit of daily exercise.

More than 40 per cent of UAE residents do not meet the World Health Organisation's recommended weekly minimum of the 150 minutes of exercise needed to prevent life-threatening diseases.