Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025 sets a record number of participants

The Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025, an initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, concluded one of its most comprehensive sessions to date, with a record number of more than 3 million participants, in new confirmation that Dubai is moving steadily towards achieving its vision of becoming one of the most active and vibrant cities in the world.
In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ninth session of the Dubai Fitness Challenge witnessed the embodiment of the slogan “Find Your Challenge” throughout the month of November, as this initiative enabled Dubai residents and visitors to know their ideal ways to achieve the 30 x 30 goals, which include practicing 30 minutes of physical activity daily for 30 consecutive days. The slogan resonated widely throughout the city, turning Dubai into an open-air sports arena. Outdoor activities, where everyone, regardless of age, ability, or fitness level, will find the activity that suits them and motivates them.
The numbers came to confirm this position. The Dubai Cycling Challenge, sponsored by DB World, attracted a record number of 40,327 participants. While the Dubai Running Challenge, sponsored by Mai Dubai, achieved an unprecedented achievement with more than 307,000 participants, a significant increase of 307% compared to its first session in 2019, consolidating its position as the largest free community running race in the world. As for the Dubai Rowing Challenge, sponsored by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, it returned this year with an expanded program over two days in response to the increasing demand, while the inaugural Dubai Yoga event witnessed a perfect end to the month with a group yoga session at sunset.
Dubai Sports Council Secretary General Saeed Hareb said: “The record numbers we witnessed during the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025 reflect the exceptional power of the slogan ‘Find your challenge’. In the Year of Community in the UAE, the ninth edition embodied what we strive for, a city that combines fitness and community cohesion, and allows everyone to discover the activity that inspires them. From world champions such as Rory McIlroy and Roberto Carlos to the families who completed the first 5 km course, more than 3 million participants found Challenge them this month, and this broad participation confirms the continued progress towards Dubai’s vision to be one of the most active and vibrant cities in the world.”
For his part, Executive Director of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation, Ahmed Al Khaja, said: “It has been an exceptional month by all standards. The Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025 has proven that when you invite the public to seek their challenge, provide advanced infrastructure, host international sporting names, and enhance community participation, they accept and participate with great passion. The records recorded by the main events are proven with the participation of 40,327 cyclists, and more than 307,000 Runners, and the total number of participants, which reached more than 3 million, for the great interaction with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in making Dubai one of the most active cities in the world, pointing out that as we look forward to the tenth session in 2026, we will continue our commitment to helping residents and visitors find their challenge and adopt sustainable healthy habits.”
The Dubai Cycling Challenge was launched on November 2, sponsored by DB World, to transform Sheikh Zayed Road into the most famous cycling track in the world, with the participation of 40,327 cyclists. The experience was divided between a 4-km family path in downtown Dubai with views of Dubai Opera and Burj Khalifa, and a 12-km path that passed through the Museum of the Future and the Dubai Water Canal.
The morning began with speed rounds for professional riders at an average speed of no less than 30 km/hour, while the entertainment segments added a great lively atmosphere to the tracks, with the participation of the characters Modhesh and Dana, broadcaster Kitty Overy, and DJs from the UNTOLD festival, the drum troupe, and the Philippine School team in Dubai.
The challenge, sponsored by the Roads and Transport Authority, returned to Hatta Dam in an expanded session over two days. It combines free stand-up paddling sessions, free kayak tours, in addition to 30-minute sunset yoga sessions on the surface of the water, amid stunning mountain views. Kayaking equipment and bus transportation from Dubai are also available to ensure everyone can participate easily.
This year’s event, sponsored by Mai Dubai, witnessed the largest participation since the challenge’s inception, with more than 307,000 runners flocking to Sheikh Zayed Road.
The event included two tracks: the first was a 5 km distance suitable for families, and ended near the Dubai Mall on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, and the second was a 10 km distance for participants of different levels who wanted to take on a longer challenge, which ended at the Gate Building in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The event began with a distinctive display of Dubai Police cars, illuminated paramotor planes, giant LED puppets, drum bands, UNTOLD DJs, and a number of street performances that accompanied the participants to the finish line.
The inaugural session also presented the first group yoga session at sunset in Zabeel Park, where thousands of participants gathered with a wonderful panoramic view of the famous Dubai Frame behind them. The event celebrated awareness, balance and communication among members of society, with areas allocated to people of determination and families, in a direct embodiment of the principles of the “Year of Community” in the UAE, and an ideal conclusion to the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2025.
Three free 30×30 Fitness Villages continued to operate throughout November at Kite Beach, Zabeel Park and Al Warqa Park, offering a wide range of activities including functional fitness, boxing, spinning, padel and multi-sport courts. At the same time, 30 community fitness centers offered expert-supervised training classes within the neighbourhoods, making each participant’s challenge, whether it is yoga in JBR, skiing in Dubai Investment Park, mountain biking in Hatta Wadi Hub, or golf lessons in Dubai’s leading clubs, accessible to everyone.
The month of November witnessed a group of international sporting events that established Dubai’s position as a leading sporting destination and inspired participants throughout the month. The Dubai Premier Padel P1 Championship hosted elite padel players at the Hamdan Sports Complex, while the DB World Final Golf Tour Championship brought together the best players on the Jumeirah Estates golf courses. The Dubai Basketball Club also presented strong European matches at the Coca-Cola Arena, while the Dubai T100 Triathlon at the Meydan Track combined elite racing with community participation. The United Baseball League also launched its inaugural season as the region’s first professional baseball league at The Sevens Stadium, and the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens Championship concluded the month with a festival that combines sports and entertainment.
In addition, the November schedule was decorated with a wide range of endurance events and community challenges, including: Spartan Wadi Hatta, Tough Madder Hatta, Mushrif Park Half Marathon, Plus 500 Dubai City Half Marathon 2025, Arabian Warrior Challenge, a triathlon race at the Aura Skypool, in addition to the National Day race sponsored by Skechers. Dubai also witnessed events such as the Al Wahda Running Race from Emirates NBD, the Turf Games Dubai City 2025 series, the Emirates Mountain Bike Challenge, and other events that ensured that there was a challenge to suit all interests and abilities.
The Dubai Fitness Challenge attracted a distinguished group of global sports legends and fitness experts who were keen to test Dubai’s commitment to an active lifestyle.
Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos surprised football fans during a special visit to the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex, where he met the participants after an exclusive training session presented by Real Madrid coaches, and shared with them his experiences and messages about the importance of continuity to achieve goals. At Jumeirah Golf Estates, Rory McIlroy, three-time winner of the DP World Finals Tour Championship, participated in the tournament, praising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in making Dubai one of the most active cities in the world.
The challenge activities also attracted international guests, including fitness pioneer Lina Dib, human biology expert Gary Brica, founder of The Ultimate Human Health Clinic, global fitness leader Kayla Itsines, and former French player Bakary Sagna, in addition to a large group of guests and experts.
As the Dubai Fitness Challenge prepares to celebrate its tenth edition in 2026, the initiative is emerging as one of the largest free community fitness initiatives in the world. Since its launch in 2017, more than 16 million people have taken part in the challenge, while 2025’s record numbers have cemented Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for community wellness and health.
It is worth noting that the initiative began as a simple invitation, 30 minutes of daily activity for 30 days, and then evolved into an annual celebration that floods the city throughout the month of November, building sustainable infrastructure, inspiring long-term healthy habits, and proving that when an entire community commits to the movement, extraordinary things can be achieved. The successes of 2025 lay the foundation for an even more ambitious tenth cycle, as Dubai continues its journey to become one of the world’s most active cities.