More than 20,000 people will flock to Yas Marina when the iconic F1 circuit hosts its hugely popular annual diabetes walk.

– #360fit: Obstacle Fitness Events Coming up in the UAE!
– Also: Etisalat Fitness Fest brings celebration of health to Dubai
– #360win: Trip to watch Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund

The event, which has been running since 2007, aims to promote a healthier lifestyle and create awareness for diabetes and the ninth edition will return on November 13.

With registration for Walk 2015 now open, six weekly ‘mini walks’ have been organised in various locations including Al Ain, Yas Marina Circuit and Madinat Zayed in preparation for the main event.

Yas Marina Circuit is no strangers to hosting health and fitness activities, having held the Zayed Marathon and various TrainYas events within the last year, and its chief executive officer, Al Tareq Al Ameri is delighted to be involved in this year’s edition.

“The aim between us at Yas Marina Circuit and the key stakeholders in Abu Dhabi is to focus on making positive changes for the community and get them to adapt a more healthier lifestyle,” he said. “For us it’s a perfect fit, as the Yas Marina Circuit is a motorsport track and with sport it’s all about keeping healthy and fit and doing regular exercise and we want to help pass that message across.”

The UAE has a higher rate of diabetics than global averages and organisers want to underline the importance of how crucial daily exercise can be. 

“Part of Imperial College London Diabetes Centre’s mission is tackling the prevalence of diabetes across Abu Dhabi and the region,” said Suhail Mahmood Al Ansari, executive director at Mubadala Healthcare and Chairman of Imperial College London Diabetes Centre.

“We do this through education and raising awareness about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, exercise and a balanced diet.

“The Walk 2015 has become a key event in the Abu Dhabi calendar that brings the community together encouraging individuals, families and organisations to increase their activity levels in a fun and interactive way.”

Dr Maha Taysir Barakat, director of general of Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (HAAD), added: “The event has grown rapidly since we began nine years ago at the Corniche.

“But we want to build on this as it is of high importance to create awareness of diabetes which is a major public health concern for people in Abu Dhabi.”

In its aim of attracting more participants, those who attend the weekly ‘mini-walks’ will receive a free T-shirt, while a new ‘netwalking’ initiative has been introduced to encourage businessmen and women to participate.

To register please visit their website.