Get Active at Yas Marina Circuit | Abu Dhabi

“As part of our commitment to maintaining a healthy community, we at HAAD have prioritised raising awareness around the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles.” H.E Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili

We are extremely privileged here in Abu Dhabi to not only have an iconic F1 circuit right on our doorstep but one that opens its doors every week for community activities giving the population opportunities to keep fit and healthy, completely free of charge! Whether you walk (me), run (never) or cycle (sometimes) you can make use of the facility on a weekly basis at Tuesday’s TrainYAS and on Wednesday evening’s GoYAS, the Ladies only event. Last week Yas Marina Circuit announced the addition of a third weekly health and fitness activity evening StartYAS, a new government health and fitness initiative added to its already popular events, part of the unveiling of the new Calendar for 2015-16.

StartYAS, which will take place on Sunday evenings starting on 11th October from 6 – 10pm, was announced at last week’s packed press conference by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) in partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council, National Health Insurance Company Daman as part of their ongoing ActiveLife campaign and Yas Marina Circuit itself, offering fitness fanatics and those looking to lead a healthier lifestyle an additional night every week to train on the track.

Unhealthy lifestyles are rife here in the UAE, obesity rates are high as are cardiovascular disease and diabetes and these ongoing health problems have been identified by HAAD as requiring an immediate and effective solution to promote healthier lifestyle opportunities that includes its ongoing commitment to supporting activities such as those at Yas Marina Circuit. StartYAS will build on the popularity and success of the existing TrainYAS and GoYAS evenings where 4,000 people walk, run or cycle around the circuit at their own pace every single week.

Alongside StartYAS, Yas Marina Circuit are offering an action packed schedule with the circuit’s most complete calendar of fitness, cycling, driving experiences and motorsports to date. Thrill seekers will be delighted with the new DriveYAS programme on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays offering a wider range of flexible driving experiences including the introduction of a new Mercedes AMG experience. Take an Aston Martin for a spin, push the speed limits in a Chevrolet SS drag racer or burn some rubber in a Drift car as DriveYAS offers an arrive and drive option that are more flexible and greater value for money.

The Yas Racing Series will offer all types of Motorsports throughout the next seven months as well as the popular Bike Track Days and Track Days that give amateurs an opportunity to race around the Grand Prix track – full details of all motorsport events are available here.

Obviously the circuit is best known for the annual Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend and another sell-out event is on the cards for 2015. From November 27th until 29th thousands of people will descend on the capital as the city comes alive with the season ending race and headline artists Enrique Ingress, Florence and the Machine and Blur take to the Du Arena stage for the after race concerts. Tickets are still available just visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com for more information.

Lots of exciting community experiences will be taking place in the coming months too with Yas Marina Circuit’s full line up of health and fitness events, there really is something for everyone to get involved in whatever your age, ability and level of fitness. Next month the popular WALK 2015 event will take place on 13th November in partnership with Imperial College London Diabetes Center and HAAD. Start 2016 as you mean to go on with the Electric Run on 29th January, followed by the popular TriYAS by Daman’s ActiveLife race on 26th February which is open to all ages and ability levels and the Zayed Marathon perfect for elite runners or total beginners on 19th March.

It may not be the Tour de France but cycling fans have not been forgotten as leading personalities from the sport arrive in the capital next week for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Tour that comes to the circuit for the final stage on 11th October. The World Tour will ride into the capital on 8th October with 108 male elite riders in the saddle across four stages, Adnoc (Rub al Khali desert), Capital (from Yas Marina to Abu Dhabi city and back to Yas Island). Al Ain (including a Jebel Hafeet mountain finish) and the final Yas stage (20 laps around the Yas Marina circuit). Visit abudhabitour.com for more information.

Where else in the world can you train at a Formula 1 racetrack week in, week out for free? Where else can you Walk for Diabetes, get pelted with coloured paint at the annual Color Run event, participate in TriYAS or emulate Lewis Hamilton in your own vehicle? Where else can you take have visitors to experience the unique thrill of going around an iconic grand prix track that fills worldwide television screens when the F1 comes to town every November. There’s really no excuse not to take advantage of this free activity and get on track with your fitness, grab some friends or family and take a sunset stroll, a sweaty run or a speedy cycle around this fabulous facility.