Step up, beat diabetes

It’s time to take firm steps towards a world where diabetes won’t do any more harm – and have a fun day out with the family while at it. The Beat Diabetes Walk is back for a 10th running next Friday, November 23, at Dubai Zabeel Park. Landmark Group’s event seeks to build a culture of wellness and encourage various lifestyle changes, while promoting a conversation around diabetes. Wonderfully, this year’s event also extends to the little ones, aiming to get them moving and grooving, and excited about eating well. An online competition has been launched where kids from the ages of 4-6 can send in drawings, while those from ages 7-10 can participate at superkidz.me with stories in English and Arabic – around the theme of good food and fitness habits, of course. They’ll stand a chance to win some brilliant prizes too – up for grabs are school scholarships, iPads, Landmark goodies, as well as a chance for fame, with their work to be published in the next edition of SuperKidz comic. The award ceremony will kick off the 3km walk Friday, which the kiddo winners will get to lead, too. Get the whole family out for a day of play, exercise, relaxation and pure fun at the park – besides free blood glucose testing, there’ll also be free zumba and yoga, spot fitness challenges and dance routines. And with a DJ and live entertainment plus a kids’ zone, everyone is in for a treat – who said education couldn’t be fun? Register at beatdiabetes.me; adults pay Dh20, kids 8-15 years Dh10, and kids below 8 enter for free.