Charity sets the pace

But she has never missed a Terry Fox Run. Her family, including five-year-old Madison and eight year old Zachary, were also along for the 8.4 km run held at Mamzar Park on Friday. "I think it's a big thing in Canada so it's a matter of Canadian pride," Roberta said. "But it's also because it's for cancer research." Madison completed her first Terry Fox Run as possibly one of the youngest participants last year aged four. She joined hundreds of children with their schools and families on Friday, inspired by Canadian Terry Fox, a cancer sufferer, who ran hundreds of miles across Canada for cancer research.

Dressed in her iconic scarlet tunic, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer Grace Warkentine, began the run but was joined by the Aga Khan Scouts & Guides band who led participants of every age and nationality.

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By foot, paw, bike and rollerblade they came amassing as a crowd of 12,000 people, up from last year's 10,500 and the second biggest in the world in participation. As they returned, the first donation figures were already in - a whopping Dh 250,000 in cash which organisers expect to double with amounts still pouring in over the next month.

Zainab Diesta led a group of colleagues to run, while her friend John Gulka chanced to be in town from Bahrain and had to take part as well. "We've run for lots of causes - it's purely selfish," he laughed. "We run because we like to run." But it was Gulka's first Terry Fox Run and he was impressed by the turn out. "It's amazing. I never knew the extent of the Terry Fox Run."

Last year the event was the third biggest in terms of revenue. But many were there to enjoy a day with family and friends especially as the weather continued its warm spell and provided a sunny calm day.

Volunteers like Sally Yauder have helped out for the last six years and love being a part of the cause. "At least we can feel we have shared something," she said. "We help with registration, marshalling, giving out certificates. "But it's the feeling of having done something."

A group of university student dancers, a percussion group from Kerala and a Wollongong University band helped entertain before and after the run. All funds go to the Al Ain Cancer Institute for research purposes.