Abu Dhabi Is Set To Welcome Back 'The Run For Kindess' This November

Photo: Supplied

If there were ever a run where everyone wins, it’s “the run for kindness”.

Returning to the UAE capital on November 29, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Zayed Charity Run is set to bring heart, health, and humanity back to Abu Dhabi in a celebration that’s about far more than crossing a finish line.

Now in its third stop of the 2025–2026 global season, the beloved community run invites participants of all ages and abilities to take part in 3km, 5km, or 10km run, starting at Wahat Al Karama and ending at the landmark Erth Abu Dhabi.

At the heart of this run, though, is community spirit. Families and friends can enjoy the lively community villages set up along the route, featuring entertainment, food kiosks, and cultural activities that turn the event into a full-day festival of giving.

Photo: Supplied

Since its launch in 2001, the Zayed Charity Run has blossomed into a global movement that echoes the timeless values of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – compassion, generosity, and unity. This year, those values take tangible form as proceeds from the run will fund three groundbreaking programs at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre (ADSCC): personalised cancer therapy through Tumour Infiltrating Lymphocytes, an AI-powered platform for precision medicine, and an innovative Perinatal Project using donated placental tissue for regenerative treatments.

Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Supreme Organizing Committee, summed it up perfectly: “The Zayed Charity Run is not just a sporting event, but a deep tribute to the eternal values instilled by the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace, reflecting his enduring legacy of generosity, compassion, and humanity.”

And 2025 adds an extra layer of meaning. As part of the “Year of Community,” the run embodies the UAE’s spirit of solidarity, bringing together people from all walks of life – athletes, families, students, and first-time runners – in a shared stride towards kindness and wellbeing.

Abu Dhabi’s turn as host follows successful stops in Beijing and Rio de Janeiro, with Cairo, Miami, and Budapest next on the calendar — marking the most ambitious season in the event’s history.

So, whether you run, walk, cheer, or simply show up to support, the Zayed Charity Run 2025 invites everyone to take part in a celebration where every step counts toward a healthier, more compassionate world.

Register for the Zayed Charity Run 2025 here.