Khalifa University of Science and Technology and the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club (ADCC) have organised the third edition of the Khalifa University Century Challenge 2024. Taking place on 3 February 2024, the challenge will gather more than 1,500 participants from the UAE and from around the world.
The challenge has twin starting points, Abu Dhabi, for a distance of 190 kilometres, and the new route from Dubai, for a distance of 175 kilometres. The cyclists will set off in four groups from the university’s main campus in Abu Dhabi, and Al Qudra track in Dubai to the Jebel Hafeet summit in Al Ain for a grand finish. For the first time, the Dubai route added a new dimension to the Khalifa University Century Challenge 2024.
The challenge was organised to raise awareness on cycling in the community, encouraging everyone to participate in sport competitions and activities that help build a healthy lifestyle. The twin cycling routes for the challenge aim to showcase the UAE’s advanced infrastructure for cycling.
Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, said: "We are proud to organise this sporting event with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club for the third year in a row, with a greater number of cycling enthusiasts joining the challenge, demonstrating a continuing spread of awareness on cycling in the UAE community. The Khalifa University Century Challenge 2024 comes in line with our commitment to encourage everyone to participate in challenges and activities that help build a healthy lifestyle through sports."
AlNekhaira Alkhyeli, CEO at Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, expressed his satisfaction at holding the challenge for the third year in a row, as well as the new start from Dubai for the first time. Alkhyeli emphasised that the large turnout of participants this year reflects the great increase in enthusiasts and cyclists in the UAE and confirms the extent of awareness of its importance for all members of society as it is a sport and an easy means of transportation. Alkhyeli added that the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club is pleased to organise races, challenges, and community rides, in support of enthusiasts of the sport.
In line with safety regulations, ADCC organised police patrols along the routes, allocating four feed stations, along with neutral support vehicles carrying water and nutrition, in addition to providing ambulance and support vehicles, as well as other logistics services by the Abu Dhabi Police, and the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).
