2026 Huairou Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run concludes successfully

Nearly 15,000 runners set off from the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Convention & Exhibition Center the moment the starting gun fired at 7:30 am on Sept 27, kicking off the 2026 Huairou Great Wall Marathon and Zayed Charity Run.

Before the start, runners of various nationalities and age groups warmed up, took photos and gave each other a high five, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. The event drew a diverse field of participants, from professional athletes and amateur runners to enthusiasts ranging from young adults to those in their 70s. The event, featuring full and half marathon categories, attracted entrants from 21 countries and regions including China, the United Arab Emirates, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada and Liberia. Domestic runners came from provinces, municipalities, autonomous regions and special administrative regions across China.

Adel Saeed Al Yaqoubi, general coordinator of the Zayed Charity Run, was attending the event for the second time. “Returning to Huairou this year feels different. The first edition established a strong foundation for this partnership, and today we return with greater confidence and shared responsibility. We are pleased to see the race developing into a platform that brings participants from the UAE, China and countries around the world together through sport, friendship and charitable giving,” he said before the marathon kicked off.

He added that the Chinese edition of the marathon is special because it brings together sports, history, culture and charity in an exceptional setting alongside the Great Wall of China. It also reflects the strong relationship between the UAE and China, bringing participants from both countries and beyond together around the shared values of friendship, generosity and humanitarian action.

As the race progressed, runners spread out along the course -- some staying in front, some running in smaller groups behind, and a few pausing briefly at aid stations before picking up speed again. They went past Yanqi Lake, Huairou Science City and Hongluo Temple before concluding at the Mutianyu Great Wall, alternating between lakeside scenery, a modern science park and ancient structures, creating a strong sense of local identity. In the latter half of the full marathon, the relentlessly uphill Haohanpo(Hero Slope) section became a key challenge for competitors. Many runners noticeably slowed their pace and gritted their teeth to climb upward.

The finish line marked the event’s climax. Runners sprinted or waved as they crossed the finish line, amid cheers from spectators and family members. Afterwards, the winners in each category were announced.

“This course, passing through Huairou Science City, Yanqi Lake and Mutianyu Great Wall, gives international runners a vivid and complete picture of contemporary China,” Khaled Alshehhi, chargé d’affaires of the UAE embassy in Beijing, said near the finish line. “Each segment of the race serves as a window showcasing China’s profound historical civilization and its innovation and technological strength for the future. Participants do not merely pass these landmarks, but experience them in person while running. I think that is the impression they will take with them. China is confident in its cultural roots, open to the world, and balanced between heritage preservation and innovative development. This is highly consistent with the spirit of the China-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership. The bilateral relationship is built on mutual respect, people-to-people exchanges, and the shared pursuit of a more prosperous and sustainable future.”

Half of the proceeds from the event will support Beijing Huairou Hospital and local community development. The Zayed Charity Run, also known as Run for Kindness, was launched in Abu Dhabi in 2001 by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, now the president of the UAE. It honors the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and carries forward his values of generosity, compassion and humanitarianism. The event held its first overseas edition in New York in 2005. It has since been hosted in Cairo, Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Addis Ababa and Budapest. It unites communities through sport, promoting the charitable ideals of solidarity, dedication and humanitarianism.

Li Yiqian contributed to this story.