In line with Dubai Holding’s longstanding commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3 and its corporate wellness programme aiming to promote good health and wellbeing across the workplace and community

As the 5th edition of Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) comes to a close, Dubai Holding, the diversified global investment company with operations in 13 countries, has played a key role in the sponsorship of and support to a record-breaking number of fitness activities and sporting events throughout the month long, emirate-wide challenge launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Events and activities sponsored and supported by Dubai Holding included: HERO Dubai, a stage of the international HERO Series mountain bike circuit and the only mountain bike race in the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) calendar in the Arab Peninsula held in Hatta on 29 October with over 700 cyclists;  DEKA Strong, part of the world-renowned Spartan brand and the 1st qualifying race to the Middle East Trifecta took place at Central Park Towers, DIFC on 29 October and saw over 452 participants;  Tough Mudder, a globally renowned obstacle course race held in Hatta on 13 November saw 1600 participants; Wadi Bih, the region’s favourite mountain adventure took place in Hatta on 19 November and witnessed 800 participants; Spartan Trail Race welcomed 455 runners who ran the globally recognised long-distance running race in Hatta on 20 November; and finally, 670 participants completed Dubai Holding DEKA Mile, the 2nd Deka qualifying race which took take place at Al Seef, one of Dubai Holding’s retail destinations, on 27 November and welcomed 400 participants.

Khalid Al Malik, Managing Director, Dubai Holding, said: “We are extremely pleased to have finally seen physical fitness activities taking place in-person again across Dubai. At Dubai Holding, we continue to support initiatives that boost overall health as part of our corporate social responsibility to promote wellness in the workplace as well as across the community. For the 5th edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, our contributions saw our sponsorship of and support to six main fitness activities, while also facilitating other uncountable events across many of our retail destinations, business districts and residential communities – inspiring, encouraging and motivating our employees as well as every single individual in Dubai on a journey towards a much healthier lifestyle.”

To motivate and encourage participation in the annual 30-day challenge, Dubai Holding activated fitness activities across several of its communities throughout the emirate. Fitness activities included:

Fort Island at Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Open to the public, a fitness-fuelled day by J Club – Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts lifestyle destination – took place on Friday 29 October with  a variety of  classes such as Zumba, Power Pilates, Body Combat, Zumba Kids, Interval Training and Yoga.

Hatta Wadi Hub

A month-long offering of free outdoor activities and classes was available for both adults and children including Yoga, meditation, wall climbing, mountain biking, capoeira fitness and guided hiking.

Dubai Design District (d3)

The Block at d3 was transformed into a one-month long fitness hub. Visitors enjoyed a variety of activities such as fitness classes, Zumba classes, a CrossFit challenge and a skateboard challenge.

Boxpark Dubai

Many fitness events were offered at Fitbot from 2 to 23 November.

Al Khawaneej Walk

A wide range of fitness challenges and activities were launched to coincide with this year’s edition of DFC, offering the public adrenaline-charged experiences as part the of annual citywide challenge. Locations included Dubai Fitness Challenge village at Warehouse Gym and Al Khawaneej Atrium from

2 to 23 November.

Al Seef

Fitness activities offered for the community includes Sunrise Yoga and HIIT sessions as well as Mommy and Me fitness sessions at the main event area and Dhow deck, from 1 to 23 November. ‏ Additionally, group morning runs across the stretch of Al Seef took place on Mondays and Wednesdays led by Marathon enthusiast Rawad Habari. The run was organised by Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef with water stations and fresh smoothies.

Dubai Science Park

Yoga and Pilates classes were available at Dubai Science Park and were catered to the  public.

Dubai Media City and Dubai Studio City

As the official fitness hubs of DFC, both business districts organised a wide variety of activities and challenges throughout the duration of the challenge.

Bluewaters

DFC participants saw a calendar filled with interesting fitness classes  at Caesars Palace Dubai, located in Bluewaters. Activities included  beach boot camp, Swiss trampoline class, kick boxing kid’s camp, Watfit (Aqua mat exercises), and Teq Ball (a sport played on a curved table with elements of football and table tennis).

ARN

ARN’s nine radio stations continued to spread the message on the city-wide events as well as launched their own activities and initiatives across this month of fitness activities including offering various prizes for participants. Key activities and challenges included hunting for the fittest class or school in Dubai, a knockout soccer tournament at Kite Beach, a beach football match, Tug of War challenges in different locations, kids challenge at Mushrif Park, golf face off challenge, the first-ever radio tournament, and fitness mini vlogs creation with fitness ambassador RJ Maryam.

For the first time, Dubai Holding Team qualified in the Gov Games Qualifiers to participate in the ‘Community Category’ of Gov Games.

Dubai Holding has contributed to DFC since it was launched in 2017 through more than 150 fitness activities organised across the Group to date. Dubai Holding has also introduced various incentives to recognise the most active employee and most active company across the Group for years.

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