Dubai Fitness Challenge dates announced; Expo 2020 site to host some activities

The 2021 edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge will be back from October 29 to November 27.

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One of the fitness villages is all set to come at the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

Featuring events across the Emirate, the challenge encourages Dubai residents and visitors to commit to 30 minutes of activity for 30 days.

#Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), an initiative of @HamdanMohammed, is all set to return to the city for its fifth annual edition from 29 October to 27 November 2021.https://t.co/NjQ3it6N1D pic.twitter.com/65xLP5NnMs

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 8, 2021

The event features a month-long calendar of free workouts, fitness events and wellness-centric entertainment.

“The fifth edition of the Dubai Fitness Challenge will bring friends, families, colleagues and communities together to improve their health and wellbeing and enjoy the outdoors,” the Government of Dubai Media Office said on Wednesday.

The challenge was first launched five years ago by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. He is often spotted taking part in the challenge around the city.

In addition to the Expo 2020 site, a fitness village will come up at the Kite Beach. The Dubai Run and Dubai Ride will be back as well.

For the Dubai Ride last year, the Sheikh Zayed Road had turned into a 14km cycling track. Sheikh Hamdan had joined over 20,000 cyclists for the early morning ride.

For the Dubai Run, the city’s beaches and parks turn into jogging tracks. Residents choose their own partners, their own distance and their own pace to take part in the run.

The media office said further details, including registration information and the full line-up of activities, will be released over the coming weeks.

“With expectations of more than one million residents and visitors taking part in this year’s challenge, everyone planning to participate is encouraged to start setting their fitness and health goals now,” the media office added.

Why 30X30

Launched in 2017, the event aims to transform Dubai into the most active city in the world.

According to the initiative’s website, studies show that it takes around 30 days to make a significant change to one’s health and wellbeing.

“That’s why Dubai Fitness Challenge encourages every person in the city to change and enhance their lifestyle with 30 days of activity. But it doesn’t end after 30 days — the challenge is about creating a long-term impact, essentially encouraging an overall lifestyle change for those who take part,” the website said.