Zayed Charity Run Expands to South America with Rio de Janeiro Event

The Zayed Charity Run made its debut in South America, with its second leg of the 2025-2026 season taking place in Rio de Janeiro. The event marked a significant expansion for the initiative, attracting over 3,000 participants, including more than 200 runners from the UAE, in a celebration of sport and humanitarian solidarity.

Emirati athletes delivered a dominant performance in the men’s 5km race, securing a clean sweep of the podium. Rashid Al Nakbi claimed the gold medal, followed by Saud Al Zaabi with silver, and Saif Al Alawi with bronze. Overall, UAE runners secured a total of five medals, while Brazilian athletes collected the remaining seven awards across various categories. The winners were honored in a ceremony attended by the UAE Ambassador to Brazil, Sharif Essa Al Suwaidi, and the race’s Chairman, retired Lieutenant General Mohammed Al Kaabi.

Organizers emphasized the core humanitarian mission of the run. All proceeds from the event will be directed to the Rio Solidario fund, which supports vulnerable segments of the population, including women and children. Al Kaabi highlighted the growing international stature of the Zayed Charity Run, noting Brazil as a key milestone among new destinations that also include Beijing and Budapest.

The successful event in Rio concluded with an invitation for participants to reconvene at the next run, scheduled for November 29, 2025, in Abu Dhabi. Since its inception, the Zayed Charity Run has evolved into a global movement, uniting hundreds of thousands of participants worldwide and providing significant support to hospitals, charitable organizations, and research institutes.

Source: ArabianBusiness