Bupa Arabia Marathon 2024: A Step Toward Health and Sustainability

The recently concluded Bupa Arabia Marathon 2024 brought together thousands of participants in Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City, or “Misk City,” in Riyadh on November 30. Celebrated under the theme “Your Steps, Life for Our Environment,” the event combined physical activity with environmental advocacy, marking a milestone in public health and sustainability initiatives.

Engineer Sharif Bin Abdullah Hamid Al-Din, Executive Director of the Marketing Department at Bupa Arabia Cooperative Insurance, highlighted the marathon's alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. Speaking to the Riyadh Daily, he described the event as a unique effort to integrate health, fitness, and environmental conservation.

“This year’s marathon emphasised inclusivity, offering race distances of 10 km, 5 km, and 1 km, catering to all ages and abilities, including individuals with special needs,” Al-Din noted. “It also featured an innovative tree-planting initiative, where the number of trees planted matched the number of participants, reinforcing our commitment to environmental sustainability.”

The marathon garnered overwhelming community support, with diverse age groups enthusiastically participating. Al-Din observed strong engagement from young adults, families, and individuals with disabilities, praising the event for fostering social inclusion.

“Providing dedicated tracks for individuals with special needs reflects our belief that sports are a universal right,” Al-Din said. “This initiative promotes equal opportunities and strengthens social cohesion.”

The event’s success was attributed to robust partnerships with organizations such as the Saudi Sports for All Federation, the Ministry of Sports, and Misk City. These collaborations ensured logistical efficiency, community outreach, and smooth execution.

“Together, we have created an event that not only promotes health and sports awareness but also aligns with the Kingdom’s broader goals of enhancing public well-being,” Al-Din emphasized.

The marathon’s sustainability efforts stood out, with participants actively contributing to tree-planting initiatives. “Every tree planted improves air quality, reduces the carbon footprint, and fosters a culture of sustainability,” Al-Din explained. He outlined plans to expand the initiative by integrating similar projects into other sporting events and collaborating on larger environmental projects.

Central to the marathon was its role in advancing Saudi Vision 2030. As part of Bupa Arabia’s “Live Right” program, the event educated participants on healthy lifestyles, focusing on physical activity, balanced nutrition, and disease prevention.

“The program aims to increase the percentage of regular sports participants to 40% by 2030, contributing to a healthier and more active society,” Al-Din said.

With its blend of athleticism, environmental advocacy, and community engagement, the Bupa Arabia Marathon 2024 has left an enduring legacy. “The marathon exemplifies how small steps can lead to significant change, both for individuals and the planet,” Al-Din concluded.

As the Kingdom continues its march toward Vision 2030, events like these highlight the transformative power of collaboration, inclusivity, and a shared commitment to a healthier, more sustainable future.

Engineer Sharif Bin Abdullah Hamid Al-Din, Executive Director of the Marketing Department at Bupa Arabia Cooperative Insurance