Twenty Thousand Gather for Run for the Nation as Abu Dhabi Marks National Day

The second edition of Hassantak Ya Watan returns to the capital on 29 November, uniting citizens and residents around sport, community and the enduring legacy of the Founding Father

There is a particular grace to the morning when a city runs together. On 29 November, more than twenty thousand UAE nationals and residents will gather in Abu Dhabi for the second edition of Run for the Nation, Hassantak Ya Watan, a sporting occasion that transcends the usual boundaries of competitive athletics to become something more deliberate: a collective expression of national unity and shared purpose.

Commencing at Wahat Al Karama and concluding at ERTH Abu Dhabi, the event honours the humanitarian vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, whose legacy since 2001 has been carried forward through the Zayed Charity Run. Sport in the Emirates has evolved into something profound: not merely a pursuit of physical achievement, but a platform through which different segments of society gather around common values.

The run embraces three distances: 3 kilometres, 5 kilometres and 10 kilometres, a thoughtful calibration that welcomes participants of all ages and fitness levels. Families will move through the course together; recreational runners will find their pace alongside experienced athletes. Registration remains free of charge, reflecting a commitment to accessibility and community participation. Recognition will follow across age group categories, honouring achievement at every level.

Lieutenant General (Retired) Mohamed Helal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Zayed Charity Run, articulates the deeper purpose. “We see Run for the Nation as much more than a sporting event,” he reflects. “It is a national occasion that reflects the spirit of the UAE and its deeply rooted values. A nation is safeguarded through the cohesion of its community, the health of its people and their positive participation in initiatives that bring them together around a shared purpose.”

The timing of the event carries particular resonance, unfolding as the nation celebrates Eid Al Etihad and reflects upon the values that have shaped the Emirates. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, underscores this connection: the run embodies the enduring principles of generosity, community cohesion and national belonging that were instilled by the Founding Father, strengthening community ties whilst encouraging the healthier, more active lifestyles toward which the nation aspires.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

For Abu Dhabi, the occasion represents a significant moment of collective participation, bringing together residents and citizens in an initiative that reaches beyond the sporting arena itself. The scale of anticipated participation reflects the deep resonance of such communal occasions within the capital, where national pride and social cohesion find expression through shared experience.

The event also establishes momentum for what the Organising Committee envisions as an annual tradition, one that will leave lasting impact beyond the day itself. By embedding healthy lifestyles and active participation within the fabric of national celebration, Abu Dhabi reinforces its position as a city in which community wellbeing and social unity remain central to the vision of national progress.

Source: WAM