The Emirates Villages Running Races, organised by the Emirates Council for Balanced Development under the patronage of Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have received international recognition from UN Tourism for Social Impact in Sports Tourism. 

The award was presented in Madrid in the presence of global officials and experts, highlighting the initiative’s role in linking sports, community development, and sustainable tourism.

This recognition underscores the UAE’s growing leadership in innovative models that combine tourism, sports, and social impact. 

Achieved in its first year, the initiative has quickly gained global standing among leading sports tourism programmes.

Mohamed Al Kaabi, Secretary-General of the Emirates Council for Balanced Development, noted that the recognition reflects the leadership’s vision to promote balanced development, particularly in rural areas, by integrating keay sectors. 

The races encourage healthy lifestyles, enhance quality of life, and stimulate local tourism.

Held between October and December 2025, the series included seven races across seven emirates, attracting over 5,000 participants from more than 50 nationalities.

With distances ranging from 1.5 km to 10 km, the events catered to all fitness levels and showcased diverse landscapes, from mountains to heritage sites, reinforcing the UAE’s villages as emerging tourism destinations. -TradeArabia News Service