A 575-km charity run across all seven emirates in the UAE starts on Friday in support of children with limb deformities.
The 7Emirates Run is also held in honour of UAE National Day.
The 12-day run aims to raise at least Dh777,777 for children who have leg deformities or amputations. It is organised in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation for medical research and treatment.
The event is held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.
In the last edition, seven runners covered the seven emirates to raise funds for Sharjah toddler Mohammad Ayoub, suffering from limb deformities. A total of Dh100,000 was raised to fund his surgeries and post-operative care.
Today, Mohammad is able to walk with prosthetic support.
The funds were raised by the runners for Mohammad through the foundation's charitable fund, A'awen, that helps patients in the UAE who cannot afford medical treatment.
This year, multiple children will receive financial support.
Seven core runners will cover the entire course, while seven other runners will take part in a relay. Individuals who register will also be able to traverse a section of their choice.
In the last category, participants can be part of the special UAE National Day marathon limited to 43 runners – symbolic of 43 years of the federation – on the last leg of the run from Sharjah to Dubai.
The 12-day run starts on Friday in Abu Dhabi and ends on National Day (December 2) in Dubai.
It is led by race director Wendelin Lauxen, a German expatriate who is the Guinness World Record holder of the fastest time to complete a marathon in each of the seven continents.
Lauxen founded the run in 2010 as a solo endeavour. In 2013, six runners joined him and now the run will be an annual public event.
"People run with you and ask, ‘why are you doing this?'. It's a great way to raise awareness that though we can run, there are children who can't. We want to help children get back on their feet,” he told Gulf News ahead of the run.
Dutch expat Servee Palmans, who will also cover the entire course, added: "It's for a good cause. It's not easy – I cried a few times last time – but it's worth it.”
Dr Abdul Kareem Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: "The expansion of the 7EmiratesRun and the strong support we have received reflects the significant impact that government bodies, corporates, foundations and members of the community can have on people's lives when they all come together.”
Source: Gulf News