Health Minister Launches Nationwide Walk 30 Event in Riyadh

Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel today inaugurated the fifth edition of the Walk 30 event in Riyadh, marking the start of the Kingdom's largest local walking initiative.

 The event sees broad community participation across 124 cities and governorates, all aimed at promoting public health and preventing chronic diseases, aligning with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, a key component of Saudi Vision 2030.

 During the launch at the Sports Boulevard in Riyadh, a major project designed to integrate sports into daily life, AlJalajel highlighted the widespread participation across the Kingdom, emphasizing that Walk 30 is not just a sports event but a practical embodiment of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, particularly in fostering a vibrant, active, and healthy society. He further noted the significant increase in physical activity levels, with 58% of the population now engaging in 150 minutes or more of exercise per week, indicating a growing public awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

 This year's Walk 30 extends across numerous regions and governorates. Key locations include the Sports Boulevard's Promenade in Riyadh; 38 sites in Aseer, 26 in Jazan, 14 in Qassim, nine each in Tabuk and Hail, eight in Northern Borders, five in Bisha, and two in Eastern Region. Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah, Taif, Al-Baha, Al-Qunfudhah, Najran, Al-Ahsa, Hafar Al-Batin, Al-Qurayyat, and Al-Jouf each host one event location.

 Sports Boulevard Foundation CEO Jayne McGivern expressed the foundation's pride in hosting the Walk 30 event at the Promenade in Riyadh, a key Sports Boulevard destination. She emphasized the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Health, which aims to cultivate a culture of walking and encourage active, healthy lifestyles in support of the Health Sector Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030.

 McGivern said that the project aims to elevate Riyadh's global ranking as a livable city, contributing to Vision 2030's objective of promoting physical, psychological, and social well-being and creating a positive and attractive environment for residents and visitors.