Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa has successfully concluded the second edition of the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026, bringing together 68 runners for an experience combining sport, wellbeing and the natural beauty of Dhonakulhi island. Held on Friday, 18 September, as part of World Wellness Weekend, the event showcased the potential of resort-based running experiences to complement the Maldives’ established appeal as a luxury holiday destination.
Athletes Sunny Schippers and Clara Abbona led the 10K and 5K races respectively, inspiring participants across a programme of three scenic island runs, including a relaxed shakeout run. Routes surrounded by turquoise waters and lush tropical vegetation gave runners an opportunity to experience Hideaway’s island setting through movement, adding a distinctive destination element to the sporting programme.
The natural surroundings of Dhonakulhi were central to the experience. By incorporating the island landscape into the running routes, Hideaway offered participants a way to engage with the resort beyond a conventional beach holiday. The combination of tropical scenery, physical activity and opportunities for recovery created an experience suited to travellers seeking an active stay in the Maldives.
In keeping with World Wellness Weekend, the programme extended beyond the races to include sound healing with Naga Healing and fitness sessions led by Shaffa, a fitness expert from TfG. Ask a PT and Physio sessions with Yoosuf, serving as Personal Trainer Consultant, provided further opportunities for participants to engage with exercise and recovery guidance.
The second edition celebrated movement alongside recovery, mindfulness and connection with nature. From the atmosphere at the starting line to the restorative experiences that followed, the programme brought guests and participants together around a shared interest in healthier living. It also continued to establish the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run as a resort island event combining sport, community and hospitality.
Endorsed by Visit Maldives, the initiative was delivered in partnership with TFG as race partner. TFG Races powered race consultation, registration, timing and bib services, providing the event with organised competition support. Maldivian participated as transport partner, Coral Glass as content partner and Sporting Vacanze as agent partner, connecting tourism, aviation, media, sport and lifestyle expertise in support of wellness tourism.
Participants received a timing bib powered by TfG Races, a partner goodie bag containing treats contributed by supporting partners, and the official Flora & Fauna Greenery Run T-shirt. Trophies were awarded to the top three male and female finishers in both the 5K and 10K categories. First-place winners also received a scale model aircraft kit from Maldivian.
Mohamed Muzaffar Ahmed, Business Development Manager of Lily Hotels, said the 2026 event built on the success of the inaugural edition in 2025. He highlighted the continued endorsement of Visit Maldives and the contribution of the event’s partners, describing the programme as an example of the opportunity to position the Maldives for luxury wellness, sport and active travel.
“Our ambition is to develop the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run into one of the country’s and inevitably the world’s leading luxury destination running events, offering participants an experience that is truly unique to the Maldives,” he said. Ahmed also described the initiative as the first luxury running event focused on the country’s sporting tourism niche to incorporate trophies, timing and medals, presenting it as a further example of Lily Hotels’ approach to developing tourism experiences.
Although the second edition has concluded, Hideaway is continuing to celebrate its runners through social media. The resort also plans to make its remaining runner kits available to resort guests who complete at least 5K on the official MHRR2026 route during the remainder of 2026. The kit includes a goodie bag, T-shirt and medal, with further details to be shared through the resort’s social media channels.
The initiative gives guests another reason to explore Dhonakulhi on foot while extending the event experience beyond race day. It also allows the resort to connect its running programme with everyday guest activities, encouraging visitors to enjoy the island’s surroundings through an achievable fitness challenge.
Hideaway intends to develop the run as an annual event, with each edition offering a distinct theme. Following the sunrise theme of the inaugural 2025 run and the flora and fauna focus in 2026, the resort plans to announce the theme for the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2027 – Visit Maldives Year Edition in February 2027.
The continued development of the event reflects an opportunity to broaden the Maldives’ tourism offering through experiences that combine luxury hospitality with participation in sport. For Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa, the run places Dhonakulhi’s natural setting at the heart of that proposition, giving travellers an additional way to experience the destination through fitness, community and island discovery.
advertisment
advertisment
