Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run Bring Global Sports and Emirati Culture to Beijing

Great Wall Marathon of Huairou 2025 & Zayed Charity Run: A World-Class Sporting and Cultural Celebration Set to Thrill Beijing The Great Wall Marathon of Huairou 2025 and the Zayed Charity Run are set to create a spectacular fusion of sport, culture, and community in Beijing this September. This highly anticipated event brings together thousands of runners from across the globe and represents the largest sporting occasion ever hosted at the district level in Beijing, reflecting the deepening sports and cultural ties between China and the United Arab Emirates. A diverse lineup of races awaits participants and spectators alike. On September 20, the flagship 10-kilometre race, an innovative robot run, a 5-kilometre family run, and a dedicated run for People of Determination will take place, drawing around 2,000 runners of all ages and abilities. The excitement continues on September 21 with the challenging full marathon and half marathon, where an estimated 15,000 international runners will compete amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Great Wall. Beyond the races, the event features a rich schedule of community and cultural activities from September 19–22, deepening the intercultural exchange at the heart of this unique celebration. This year’s marathon is the result of a dynamic partnership: it is organized collaboratively by the People’s Government of Huairou District, Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Athletics Association, and the Huairou District Sports Bureau. The Zayed Charity Run joins as a partner, with crucial support from the UAE Embassy to the People’s Republic of China. Adding an authentically Emirati touch to the festivities, the UAE Embassy has inaugurated “Al Bait Al Emarati” at the iconic Mutianyu Great Wall. The cultural fair, running from September 19–22, will introduce visitors to Emirati traditions, art, and hospitality, highlighting the event’s role as a global cultural bridge. According to Lt. Gen. (retired) Mohamed Helal Alkaabi, Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee of the Zayed Charity Run: “The Zayed Charity Run was launched in Abu Dhabi in 2001 as a beacon illuminating the paths of giving. Since then, it has grown into an international event and today reaches Beijing in collaboration with the Great Wall Marathon in Huairou. It proudly carries the name of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, reinforcing the values of generosity, humanity, and support for patients and those in need around the world.” He further emphasized the event’s charitable mission, confirming that this year’s Beijing edition will direct donations to local institutions such as the Huairou District Women’s Federation, the Huairou District Disabled Persons’ Federation, the Red Cross Society in Beijing Huairou, and the Children’s Welfare Institute in Huairou. Since its inception in Abu Dhabi in 2001, inspired by the humanitarian legacy of the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Zayed Charity Run has evolved into a global movement. It has hosted 22 local editions and multiple international events, with prominent stops in New York since 2005 and Cairo since 2014. The run supports critical causes worldwide, notably providing aid for the treatment of patients with chronic illnesses such as kidney disease, cancer, and heart conditions, while also aiding children’s hospitals and medical research organizations. Looking ahead, the 2025–2026 season stands out as a defining moment for the Zayed Charity Run, marking its largest ever international expansion. Six major global stops are planned: China, Brazil, the UAE, Egypt, the US, and Hungary. This ambitious outreach extends the event’s reach to three new continents—Asia, South America, and Europe—reinforcing its role as a symbol of the UAE’s commitment to humanitarianism through sport. As thousands gather in Beijing for a weekend of competition, camaraderie, and cultural celebration, the Great Wall Marathon of Huairou & Zayed Charity Run 2025 is set to make history as a beacon of unity, generosity, and international friendship. Team V.4-EM-UAE