Rosewood Jeddah hosted the annual Light It Up Blue Initiative event in conjunction with the Jeddah Autism Center on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2.

This year’s event saw a return of the vertical marathon run during which kids and adults competed to raise awareness about autism and the importance of practicing a healthy lifestyle.

The event started at 9 a.m. and was marked with the release of blue balloons in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day.

The hotel’s staff members were joined by 40 kids and staff from the Jeddah Autism Center, among other associations and volunteers, who are known as autism friends.

The challenge saw participants split into two team categories and each team run in a relay formation up the 17 floors of Rosewood Jeddah to their rooftop pool and then back down again via a second stairwell to the finish line outside the hotel lobby.

Rosewood Jeddah also arranged for participants to receive a complimentary medical checkup and talk by a certified nutritionist on the importance of good eating habits and leading a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Research suggests that physical activity can help in improving the symptoms, behaviors and quality of life for people with autism, especially as those on the autistic spectrum are at an additional risk of being overweight.