Dubai: More than 5,000 people took part in the 16th Terry Fox Run in Dubai on Friday.
Residents of all ages and nationalities took to the streets around Al Mamzar Park in cool, cloudy conditions to raise funds for the UAE University's cancer research programme.
Almost Dh500,000 had already been raised prior to the start of the run. Donations are still being counted from on-the-day registrations and T-shirt sales.
David Barette, Chairman of the Terry Fox Run Organising Committee, said: "It's been a wonderful event with dozens of nationalities taking part; it's been a real reflection of Dubai. The participants have been really bubbly and excited, which created a beautiful atmosphere.
"Everywhere you looked you could see children in strollers, cyclists, people rollerblading and adults taking it easy or going flat out. Since the first Terry Fox Run in 1992 we have raised over Dh7 million for the charity."
A large corporate support ensured there was plenty of water, fruit and energy drinks on hand at the finish line.
Hundreds of participants also left sporting white baseball caps courtesy of Gulf News, who also officially sponsored the event.
Marathon of Hope
Kelly Strickland, Schools Liaison Director for the Terry Fox Run, said: "There are around 20 schools taking part today as well as individual pupils from schools all over the city.
"It's really important to get children active and involved in charity events like this. Terry Fox wasn't much older than a lot of these pupils when he started running so he is a great inspiration for them."
Terry Fox is considered one of the greatest Canadians that ever lived. He became famous for the ‘Marathon of Hope', a cross-Canada run to raise money for cancer research, which he ran with one prosthetic leg. Fox had his right foot amputated after being diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in 1977. He died on June 28, 1981 after raising more than $24 million (over Dh88 million).
Floyd Hope, a 41-year-old customer services executive from Sri Lanka, took part in yesterday's run with his wife Erandi, 41, son Stefan, 6, and daughter Stephanie, 3. He said: "We've all had a really great day; it's been a lot of fun. We've really enjoyed it as a family and I think it's important for future generations to get children involved in events such as this."
Philip Barnes, a 56-year-old hotel manager from Canada, said: "It was a terrific atmosphere. I've taken part in Terry Fox Runs all over the world including in Auckland, Singapore, Houston and Toronto. All of them have been great and the Dubai race is no exception."
