Terry Fox run returns to Capital for the 21st year

Abu Dhabi - The Canadian succumbed to cancer at age 22, without being able to finish the run. But more than three decades later, his legacy lives on as thousands take part in the annual marathon to fulfill his dream of finding a cure for cancer.

Thousands of residents and families will hit the Abu Dhabi Corniche on Friday morning, to support cancer research as the Terry Fox run returns to the capital.
The annual fundraising event, in its 21st year in the UAE, will see cancer survivors, philanthropists, families and school students run, skate and cycle along the 8.5 kilometre track on the Corniche. The fund-raising run will start and end at the East Plaza on the Abu Dhabi Corniche at Al Sahil Beach and take the direction towards the Mina Zayed Port.
Proceeds from the event will go to cancer research at the UAE University. According to organisers, around Dh18 million has been raised from Terry Fox runs in the UAE in the past years. Worldwide, the event has raised over Dh8.1 billion for cancer research since 1981.
The annual event, held at over 60 locations worldwide, pays tribute to Terry Fox, who ran a Marathon of Hope in Canada in 1981 for cancer awareness. The Canadian succumbed to cancer at age 22, without being able to finish the run. But more than three decades later, his legacy lives on as thousands take part in the annual marathon to fulfill his dream of finding a cure for cancer.
"For me it is not just a run. It is a fight against cancer," said Jameel Nasser, an Egyptian college student in Abu Dhabi. "I lost my uncle to cancer in 2007," said Nasser, 22. Indian housewife Prameela Nair is running with her family. "I want my 10- and 11-year-old boys to how important it is to fight this killer disease."
The Terry Fox run starts opposite Hilton Hotel on Corniche Road on Friday. Registration is between 7am and 9am.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi