Zayed Charity Run to begin tomorrow
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The 23rd edition of the Zayed Charity Run will begin at 7:00 am tomorrow in front of Reem Mall on Al Reem Island, with the participation of 7,237 runners, including 1,907 runners from the UAE, 1,226 from India, 497 from the Philippines and 490 from Nepal.
The event, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, will offer prize money totalling AED1 million, featuring distances of 3, 5 and 10 kilometres for both runners and walkers.
The crowning of victors will take place at 8:45 am, and proceeds from the event and registration fees will support groundbreaking treatments aimed at saving the lives of cancer patients through the dedicated efforts of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Centre (ADSCC).
The Zayed Charity Run for the 2023-2024 season will include a range of exciting events, which are the Abu Dhabi Charity Race on Saturday, the race in Egypt at the end of December, and the race in the US in April 2024, as well as the first race held in Kerala, India, in 2024.
The event’s organising committee said they are ready to launch it tomorrow and have provided everything required to help them achieve their humanitarian goals and spread their message for cancer patients and research.
The Abu Dhabi Police (ADP) said they would secure the Zayed Charity Run through a comprehensive traffic plan, which includes more patrols on roads to ensure the safety of participants.
The run will start from Reem Mall on Al Reem Island and end in front of the same mall.
Major General Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee, said the Zayed Charity Run highlights the UAE’s role and leadership in humanitarian and charitable work and follows the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who fostered human values and spread the ideals of tolerance, love and compassion among members of society, regardless of their backgrounds and cultures, making the UAE a unique example in this area.
Dr. Yandry Ventura, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre, expressed his gratitude to the UAE’s leadership for their unwavering support for humanitarian initiatives.
In recognition of their generosity, he proudly announced that all proceeds from the race would be allocated to the fight against cancer, including financing cutting-edge research, while lauding the selfless message embodied by the event and acknowledging its potential to make a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals affected by this devastating disease.
“We are proud to be part of this initiative, which will help improve patients’ lives and raise awareness among participants about the importance of exercising and adopting a healthy lifestyle. This collaboration enables the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Centre to improve patients’ lives, lead in research and development, provide advanced medical care, and solidify Abu Dhabi’s stature as a global hub for advanced treatments and clinical research,” he said.
Established in 2001, the inclusive and charitable annual race is held in tribute to the Founding Father of the Nation, the late Sheikh Zayed, who was himself a passionate humanitarian. The marathon represents the UAE’s vision of spreading love and peace worldwide, and it has previously been held internationally in New York, USA, and Egypt.
