Dubai: Dubai Holding, the global investment holding company, in partnership with Jumeirah Emirates Towers, has announced that a record Dh335,000 was raised at the UAE’s leading Vertical Marathon on Friday, in support of Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic organisation dedicated to transforming lives through medical education and research.
All proceeds from the event, which was organised in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council and other corporates, will support the foundation’s medical research in the UAE on obesity. With double last year’s participation, the 2015 edition saw 297 participants climb the 1,334 steps, 265 metres, 52 floors, to the top of Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ office building. The fastest woman runner, Emilie Rentsch, reached the top in 11:50 minutes and the winning male runner, Paul Faulkner, ascended in 7:56 minutes. The fastest team, ‘3 and a half men’ completed the race in 11 minutes. The Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon is the sixth highest of its kind in the world after Taipei, Hanoi, Hong Kong, New York and Beijing. The 13th edition of the Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon also saw the participation of Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, as well as Dubai Holding’s management team, led by Fadel Ali, Chief Operating Officer of the company. Dr Abdul Kareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer of Al Jalila Foundation, commented, “Al Jalila Foundation is proud to partner once again with Dubai Holding, a pioneer in promoting a healthy work environment for its employees and the wider community. The increase in lifestyle-related diseases underscores the need for long-term funding for scientific research in the areas of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. All funds raised at the marathon will support obesity research, one of the major health issues in the UAE and the region. Developing medical research requires continuous investment and leads to life-changing discoveries and innovation that further complements the positive steps that companies like Dubai Holding are taking to foster a fitter, healthier and more productive workforce.”
