Cyber Run and Ride Ver. 2.0 Returns to Abu Dhabi with Expanded Community Focus

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council and UAE Cybersecurity Council join forces for an innovative event on 31 January 2027, blending athletic competition with digital awareness in an occasion anticipated to draw 25,000 participants across running and cycling disciplines.

The emirate is preparing to host Cyber Run and Ride Ver. 2.0, a distinctive community event that seamlessly merges sporting achievement with the vital imperative of cybersecurity awareness. Organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with the UAE Cybersecurity Council, this second edition represents a significant expansion of the inaugural event, reflecting both the success of its predecessor and the profound importance of engaging society in matters of digital responsibility.

The occasion will unfold on 31 January 2027, presenting a comprehensive programme of athletic endeavour across multiple disciplines and distances. Participants will discover opportunities suited to their individual capabilities, with running races spanning 2.5 kilometres, 5 kilometres, 10 kilometres and 21 kilometres, alongside a 12 kilometre cycling ride. The organisers anticipate attracting approximately 25,000 participants, comprising some 20,000 runners and 5,000 cyclists, a testament to the event’s growing resonance within the community.

A Vibrant Village of Discovery

Beyond the athletic competitions themselves, Cyber Run and Ride Ver. 2.0 will feature an integrated three day event village, a dynamic space designed to engage visitors and participants with an extensive array of sporting, entertainment and awareness activities. This carefully curated environment will offer families of all ages a diverse range of interactive programmes, highlighting the critical importance of cybersecurity and fostering engagement across generations. The village will serve as a genuine community space, where individuals can experience the event’s objectives through immersive and accessible activities.

Sport as a Platform for Collective Responsibility

His Excellency Dr Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, articulated the philosophy underpinning this collaboration: “Cyber Run and Ride Ver. 2.0 represents an innovative platform that brings together physical activity and digital awareness, enabling us to reach broad segments of society with messages that strengthen the culture of cybersecurity and digital responsibility. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and raising awareness begins with the individual and extends to the family and wider community.”

His Excellency emphasised that initiatives of this character reflect the UAE’s commitment to cultivating a society that is both healthy and digitally secure, encouraging community members to participate actively in events that reinforce principles of prevention and advance the values of social responsibility.

A Distinctive Model of Community Engagement

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, expressed enthusiasm for the forthcoming edition: “We are delighted to organise Cyber Run and Ride Ver. 2.0, which represents a distinctive model for harnessing sport in support of community and awareness initiatives. We look forward to seeing broad participation in the 2027 edition, supported by the diversity of running and cycling events and an anticipated turnout of 25,000 participants.”

His Excellency underscored the significance of the partnership with the UAE Cybersecurity Council, noting that it exemplifies the importance of integrating institutional efforts and leveraging sport as an influential platform through which to communicate positive messages and enhance the quality of life within the community.

Cyber Run and Ride Ver. 2.0 stands as a compelling testament to the value of collaboration between national institutions in developing innovative initiatives that combine physical activity with meaningful awareness raising. By bringing together sport and cybersecurity in a single, accessible occasion, the event contributes meaningfully to promoting both individual health and collective digital responsibility, advancing the vision of a society that is secure, active and informed.

Source: Abu Dhabi Media Office