Terry Fox Run: Abu Dhabi

The background

In case you’re not in the know, Terry Fox was a bone cancer sufferer who, at 18, had part of his leg amputated. Whilst in hospital, he made his mind up to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He never completed his journey, following the appearance of cancer in his lungs, but managed to travel 5,373km over 143 days, before eventually stopping in Ontario. He died aged 22, in 1981, but inspired so many people that runs are still held across the world every year in his honour, under the banner of the Terry Fox Foundation.

Where does the money go?

Now in its fourteenth year, the Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run returns to the capital on February 20 to raise money for cancer research. ‘This money stays within the UAE’, Chairman Farid Dabaghi explains. The funds are divided amongst the Emirates’ many research facilities. Proposals are submitted to Canada to make sure that no two institutions cover the same topics, but the research is totally independent, we’re told. ‘It is an opportunity to demonstrate our support for the cause to find a cure,’ says Dr George Carrington, a member of both UAE University and Terry Fox International.

The target

Since the Abu Dhabi race began 14 years ago, over Dhs4 million of funds have been raised. Last year they raised over Dhs775,000; this year, with an expected 12,000 runners hitting the Corniche, hopes are high that this record can be smashed.

How can I take part?

‘The good thing is that there is no religion, no nationality. Everybody is a human being on a run,’ the chairman says. The Terry Fox Run is not a competition, and people can walk, run, roller-blade and even skateboard the 8.5km from the Sheraton Abu Dhabi car park to the Khaleej Al Arabi Road (30th Street) and back. Remember, it’s for fun! It’s even accessible to those in wheelchairs or with strollers. Live music from Canadian band The Empty Quarter, and a performance from the Abu Dhabi Falcons ice hockey team add to the party. There’s even a quick cardio routine as a pre-run warm-up.

But I’m not that fit!

Like we said, it’s a fun run! You don’t have to break a heavy sweat to take part. though, you can be involved in other ways. Volunteers are also wanted for helping with T-shirts sales, registration or even acting as run marshals. Or, you can simply make a donation to the Terry Fox Run, payable to Sultan International Holding, PO Box 3486, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

What do I wear?

How many times must we say this? It’s a fun run! This is one of the few times when, if you want to run down the Corniche dressed as a chicken, people aren’t going to call the police. So, use your imagination, or just come dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. There’s no pressure.