Event organisers have confirmed the Zayed Charity Run will return to Rio de Janeiro on August 23 with races of 5 and 10 kilometres. The announcement comes less than a year after the first edition took place in the Brazilian city in October 2025 as the initial Latin American stop in the 2025-2026 season. More than 3,000 runners participated in that debut event, which combined athletic activity with cultural displays from the UAE, according to a report by The National. The upcoming race is expected to draw similar or greater numbers from both local communities and international visitors.
The official event website places the 2026 edition on Sunday, August 23, maintaining the popular format established in previous stops. Copacabana Beach served as the venue for the 2025 run and is likely to host the return as well. Organisers described the inaugural Brazilian event as a success in promoting health, well-being and cross-cultural solidarity while raising funds for humanitarian causes.
According to coverage by Big News Network, the Zayed Charity Run concluded its second stop of the season in Rio with positive engagement from participants. The event was promoted by the UAE Embassy in Brazil in coordination with the Zayed Charity and Humanitarian Foundation. It formed part of a wider tour that includes stops in Miami in January 2026 and Addis Ababa in May 2026, the foundation’s updates show.
The foundation, named after UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, uses the runs to support global charitable projects in areas such as healthcare, education and emergency relief. Runners in past events have been encouraged to fundraise individually in addition to the registration fees that contribute to the foundation’s work. This model has allowed the series to extend its impact far beyond the race locations.
Participation remains open to runners of all levels, with the return edition anticipated to foster even stronger ties between the UAE and Brazil. Registration details for the August 23 event are available through the dedicated Zayed Charity Run platform. The series is set to conclude later in 2026 with its flagship race in Abu Dhabi.
