2025 Huairou Great Wall Marathon & Zayed Charity Run Kicks Off with Beijing Press Conference

Abu Dhabi/Beijing, 18 August 2025 – The Higher Organizing Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, in partnership with Huairou District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, officially unveiled the 2025 Huairou Great Wall Marathon & Zayed Charity Run during a prestigious press conference held today in Huairou District, Beijing.

The high-profile event brought together over 100 distinguished guests, including senior government officials, sports leaders, diplomats, media representatives, and partners from both the United Arab Emirates and China, marking a historic moment as the race prepares for its Beijing debut on September 21, 2025.

Hosted by the Huairou District People's Government of Beijing Municipality and supported by the UAE Embassy in Beijing, the launch featured an engaging program that included speeches from UAE and Chinese dignitaries, UAE-produced video presentations, a detailed race briefing by the Huairou Sports Bureau, and acknowledgments of event sponsors.

Among the attendees were His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Zayed Charity Run, along with members of the Organizing Committee. Senior Chinese officials from national, municipal, and district sports, political, and cultural sectors were also present, underscoring the event's diplomatic and sporting significance.

The press conference also welcomed the UAE Ambassador to China, H.E. Hussain Al Hammadi, who shared his remarks and stated, "Choosing Beijing, the capital of China, as the first stop of the new season of this global event is a sincere expression of the profound bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and the People's Republic of China. Today, through this event held at the Great Wall of China, one of the most important landmarks of world civilization, we will add a new bridge to the ever-developing network of relations, a bridge spanning sports, culture and charity."

Adding a rich cultural dimension, the UAE delegation offered traditional Emirati refreshments during the tea break, engaged UAE-based media for coverage, and showcased inspiring content on the Zayed Charity Run's global charitable mission — now expanding to six countries for the 2025–2026 season.

"This event is more than just a race; it is a message of friendship and cooperation, and a celebration of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the United Arab Emirates and the People's Republic of China — built on mutual trust, cultural exchange, innovation, and a shared spirit of humanitarian giving. Let us run together… for health, for friendship, and for the power of giving that unites hearts across distances and borders," said His Excellency Lieutenant General Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Zayed Charity Run.

The 2025 Huairou Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run, with its course passing through landmarks such as the Mutianyu Great Wall and Yanqi Lake, combines natural scenery with cultural heritage and stands out as a distinctive event with international influence. This route fully integrates Beijing's national-level scenic areas, leveraging natural resource advantages while blending cultural characteristics. 

The 2025 Huairou Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run will present an exciting lineup of cultural and sporting activities, highlighted by the "Robot & Family Charity Run" on September 20. This special race will make history with its inaugural robot race, alongside a race dedicated to people of determination (individuals with disabilities) and a family fun run that celebrates community spirit. Adding to the festivities, the "Emirati House" cultural fair will take place at the Mutianyu Great Wall from September 19 to 21, offering visitors an immersive journey into authentic Emirati traditions. Guests can explore vibrant folk arts, intricate handicrafts, and sample traditional Emirati cuisine, all while experiencing the warmth and generosity of Emirati hospitality.

About the Zayed Charity Run 

The Zayed Charity Run was first launched in 2001 in Abu Dhabi, inspired by the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to extend generosity to those in need and reinforce human values within society. What began as a local initiative to unite the community through sport and compassion has grown into a celebrated international movement, embodying the UAE's spirit of philanthropy and cultural exchange. Over the years, the Zayed Charity Run has earned a reputation not only for its unique blend of athleticism and generosity but also for its ability to bridge cultures and bring people together for a common cause. Since its inception, the Zayed Charity Run has attracted over 613,000 participants and raised more than USD 173 million in donations for humanitarian causes. These funds have supported the treatment of patients with chronic illnesses such as kidney disease, cancer, and heart conditions, contributed to the development of children's hospitals, advanced medical research, and fostered health awareness in communities around the world. 

About the Huairou Great Wall Marathon

Huairou Great Wall Marathon is an annual large-scale marathon event hosted by the Huairou District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, organized by the Beijing Athletics Association and the Huairou District Sports Bureau of Beijing Municipality. Since its inception in 2015, the event has successfully held six editions. As a marathon event actively participated in by residents and marathon enthusiasts in the capital region, it has become a vibrant emblem for the city's mass marathon movement and an important promotional window and platform for Huairou District to showcase its socio-economic development, civilized urban image, and cultural tourism resources.