Riyadh - Exclusive Sharikat Mubasher: Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance concluded the activities of the “Bupa Marathon 2026,” which was recently held at Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City (Misk City), under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport and the Saudi Sports for All Federation, with the participation of more than 2,700 male and female participants of different ages and abilities, including people with disabilities, in a scene reflecting the growing culture of physical activity and the promotion of healthy lifestyles within the community.
The event witnessed participation from individuals representing 51 nationalities, in addition to 593 participants from community sports groups, reflecting the expanding and diverse participation base and reinforcing the position of community sporting events in the Kingdom.
This year’s Bupa Marathon was organized under the slogan: “Every step makes a difference”, as part of Bupa Arabia’s efforts to enhance quality of life, encourage individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and raise awareness of sustainable environmental practices, in alignment with the objectives of Vision 2030 to build a vibrant society whose members enjoy health and well-being.
Multiple Races
The marathon featured an energetic and vibrant atmosphere, with participants competing across three main distances: 2 km, 5 km, and 10 km, allowing broad participation from different segments of society, ranging from beginners to more experienced participants.
Female participation recorded a notable increase, reaching 40% compared to 34% in the 2024 edition, reflecting the growing presence of women in the sports scene and the strengthening of their role in community events.
The event was attended and participated in by several prominent leaders, including Dr. Badr Al Badr, CEO of Misk, and Tariq Al-Amoudi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Bupa Arabia, who joined the race, reflecting national leadership support for community and health initiatives.
The competitions concluded with the awarding of the top three winners from both genders, amid a celebratory atmosphere and strong engagement from participants and attendees.
A Comprehensive Experience
The marathon delivered a comprehensive experience for participants through a diverse program that included interactive sports activities, a dedicated family zone, partner booths, as well as food and beverage areas, in addition to live entertainment and musical performances that added a vibrant atmosphere.
The experience was further enhanced by a dedicated recovery zone equipped with tools to help participants restore their energy after the race.
The marathon was supported by several partners and sponsors, including ASICS, Nova, Plenty SLD’s, Joe & The Juice, WA Café, Extreme Nutrition, Breath, Delta Fitness, and NAQAA Solutions for Sustainability Services, all of whom contributed to delivering an integrated experience for participants.
Healthcare Services
On the healthcare front, Bupa Arabia clinics provided comprehensive on-site medical services, including specialized consultations on healthy lifestyles and the promotion of health awareness, alongside the efficient handling of a variety of medical cases. Fully equipped ambulances and trained emergency teams were also available to ensure the highest levels of safety and healthcare, reinforcing the organizers’ commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment throughout the event.
Quality of Life
Commenting on this, Feras Altamimi, Managing Director - Corporate Sales at Bupa Arabia, said:
“This marathon represents one of the community initiatives through which we aim to encourage individuals to engage in physical activity and adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, positively impacting their quality of life.”
He added: “The strong turnout for this edition reflects the growing community awareness of the importance of sports and its role in enhancing public health, which motivates us to continue developing these events to deliver a comprehensive experience that combines sports and community activities suitable for all segments of society.”
Altamimi further noted that such initiatives contribute to promoting a sports culture and reinforcing the concept of prevention before treatment, supporting the development of a healthier and more active society in line with the Quality of Life Program under Vision 2030.
Environmental Sustainability
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Bupa Arabia implemented an integrated recycling initiative during the event, collecting and recycling 20 kilograms of plastic, contributing to reducing carbon emissions and optimizing resource consumption.
The initiative also included distributing plants to participants, accompanied by awareness messages encouraging them to continue their sustainability journey at home.
This initiative aligns with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, encouraging individuals to adopt sustainable practices starting with simple steps, such as planting at home, to enhance environmental awareness and embed a culture of sustainability in society, under the message:
“Take it home and help it bloom. Together, we grow toward sustainability. Start it with a plant.”
These efforts contributed to reducing carbon emissions by approximately 20 kg of CO₂, saving 115.48 kWh of energy, preserving 0.504 cubic meters of landfill space, and reducing oil consumption by 0.326 barrels, while also educating visitors on the importance of waste sorting and encouraging responsible environmental practices.
Ongoing Initiatives
Bupa Arabia continues to expand its sports and health initiatives across various regions of the Kingdom through strategic partnerships with both public and private sectors, contributing to raising health awareness and encouraging individuals to adopt more active lifestyles.
The company is also moving towards developing integrated community experiences and expanding its events to new cities, enhancing quality of life and reinforcing the concepts of health and well-being, reflecting its vision to build a healthier and more sustainable society.