by Larry Eder
This is a really cool way to promote recycling. I hope more races and events find a way to do such worthwhile projects!
Bisleri Brings ‘Bench of Dreams’ to 25th Dubai Marathon
Dubai (UAE): To mark its third year as the Official Hydration Partner, Bisleri will install twenty-five benches made of recycled plastic at the Dubai Marathon under their ‘Bench of Dreams’ initiative.
The initiative is a part of Bisleri’s larger sustainability programme, ‘Bottles for Change’ and the benches will be placed along the run route of the 25th Dubai Marathon, which gets underway on February 1.
Aligned with Bisleri’s environmental commitment, these benches are completely crafted from 60kg of used Bisleri PET bottle caps. Beyond offering an eco-friendly seating solution, they underscore the value of treating used plastic responsibly.
Once the Dubai Marathon is concluded, the green benches will be donated to a UAE-based charity.
“We are delighted to maintain our relationship with Bisleri, which will once again provide tens of thousands of bottles of water to the runners competing at the 2026 Dubai Marathon,” said Event Director, Peter Connerton. “The company’s ‘Bottles for Change’ initiative is active across India and has played an important role in a record number of bottles being recycled.”
Commenting on the initiative, Angelo George, CEO, Bisleri International Pvt Ltd said: “As we expand Bisleri’s presence in the Middle East, we want our growth to be rooted in purpose.
“The Bench of Dreams reflects our commitment to circularity – transforming waste into something meaningful for communities. Partnering with the Dubai Marathon for this initiative allows us to bring together hydration and sustainability in building a more responsible future for the region.”
Bisleri’s support of the Dubai Marathon since 2024 is part of the company’s long-term commitment to the region. In July 2025, Bisleri International entered into a major strategic partnership with the Apparel Group, a leading conglomerate in the apparel retail, food, and beverage sectors in the Middle East. The partnership entails the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of Bisleri’s iconic products across the Middle East and Africa.
Held with the continued support of the Dubai Sports Council, the 25th Dubai Marathon will feature races over 4km, 10km, and the classic 42.195km marathon distance. While participation in the marathon category is already at an all-time high, registration remains open for all three races at dubaimarathon.org
The 2026 Dubai Marathon is supported by ASICS, Dubai Sports Council, MG Motor, the Channel 4 Radio Network, ITP Media Group, Bisleri Water, Vitamin Well, Dubai RTA, Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality and Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection by IHG.
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