Over 2 million took part in Dubai Fitness Challenge
DUBAI: The sixth annual Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) has concluded ater an action-packed, month-long celebration of fitness and wellness. The Challenge, an initiative of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, aimed at making Dubai a happier and healthier city, saw 2,212,246 participants commiting to 30 minutes of exercise, every day, for 30 days.
COMMUNITY FITNESS INFRASTRUCTURE: In parallel to the growth of the Dubai Fitness Challenge, the emirate has also expanded its community sporting infrastructure and free fitness and lifestyle facilities across the city. The Roads and Transport Authority announced earlier this month that it will increase the network of its cycling tracks from the 542 km achieved in the first quarter of 2022 to 819 km by the end of 2026, as part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan.
The public also have access to running and cycling tracks and exercise equipment in both parks and beaches. Dubai Municipality has developed running tracks in various parks currently extending to a total of 37.7 km, while bicycle tracks in parks extend 15.7 km. A total of 12 km of walking tracks have also been developed by Dubai Municipality in public beaches. The cycling and running tracks have proven to be extremely popular with about 1.86 million people using them so far in 2022.
The growing fitness consciousness of the Dubai community is also reflected in the emirate’s rising trade in sports merchandise. The value of Dubai’s foreign trade in sports equipment in 2021 reached Dhs1.22 billion, while in the first ten months of 2022 (January to October), foreign trade in sports equipment reached Dhs1.1 billion.
FITNESS PARTNERS: Designed to get people moving and enjoy the great outdoors, and help Dubai become one of the world’s most active cities, some of the many other highlights of the 2022 Dubai Fitness Challenge included more than 285 fitness partners, and key global sports brands including adidas, Nike, Asics, Under
Armour, Puma, Reebok and Pepsico, hotels and malls showing their support with bespoke events and exclusive promotions; free check-ups from health and wellness providers, and 82 schools across the city geting involved with 30x30 sessions integrated into the curriculum along with visits to the Fitness Villages.
The entities helping DFC strengthen the spirit of the community this year include organisers Dubai’s Department for Economy Tourism (DET) and Dubai Sports Council; Presenting Partners DP World, Mai Dubai, and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Official Partners Aster Hospitals, Clinics and Pharmacy, Arabian Automobiles Co, Dubai Chamber among others.