Riyadh hosts World Diabetes Day event

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: The Royal Danish Embassy in Riyadh hosted a family run on Friday to mark World Diabetes Day, in partnership with Riyadh Urban Runners, The Ministry of Health, King Saud University, and Novo Nordisk.

The event was hosted by King Saud University’s College of Medicine and welcomed participants of all ages.

Asbjorn Christensen, the Royal Danish Embassy’s deputy head of mission, said: “Together we are trying to defeat the challenges that diabetes is posing to a lot of people.”

Highlighting the importance of partnering with organizations in Saudi Arabia to support World Diabetes Day, which falls on Nov. 14, Christensen added: “For me, it’s great to be here and to be involved in the challenge.

“This is one of the positive things we can have as a country; we can have a bilateral relationship.

“Novo Nordisk has been here a long time and it’s a Danish company. They have been treating diabetes for over 100 years.”

Novo Nordisk was founded in 1923 with the aim of driving change to defeat diabetes.

Christensen, whose wife has been diabetic for 30 years, added: “A day like this is embracing the awareness of treatment.

“(Diabetes is) not just a chronic disease, it’s something that you live with every day. It’s something that you have to focus on every day.

“It’s in the interests of the embassy, of course, to show up and support the efforts that are taking place and also to support all the diabetics in Saudi.”

Riyadh Urban Runners were one of the leading partners and organizers on the day.

The group supported runners on the 5 km race, holding signs and cheering them on. Riyadh Urban Runners also led interactive activities for participants.

Mashael Almehaid, a vice president on the board committee of RUR, told Arab News that the club encouraged runners at all levels.

She added: “RUR started in 2016 as a female running group and then we grew bigger and bigger and now we have both genders, all levels, from complete beginners to marathon runners.

“We have about five weekly runs and one special run for ladies.”

A speech on the importance of diabetes awareness preceded the family day, which included a 1 km race for children, along with the 5 km event.

Participants could run, jog or walk, and all who crossed the finishing line received a medal.

Medical booths gave out information on diabetes, and an awards ceremony, along with interactive games and activities hosted by RUR, closed the event.