The Dubai Terry Fox Run will be held on February 7 next year and organisers aim for a record participation and increased donations for cancer research.

The last run in Dubai attracted over 5,000 people who walked, ran, jogged, cycled, roller-bladed or wheeled through the 8.5 km run.

The run is modelled after an annual event initiated in Canada to commemorate the heroism of Terry Fox, a teenager who was diagnosed with bone cancer when he was 18 years old and had to get his right leg amputated.

Moved by the intense suffering of cancer patients, he attempted to run cross Canada on his artificial leg. But after 5,373 km, he was forced to stop as the cancer reappeared in his lungs and he died in June 1981.

Since his death, these events have been held in several countries with millions of people participating.

The Dubai organisers have invited schools and educational institutes. "Schools have always been a critical component of the success of the event around the world," said Hina Rauf Volunteer School Director.

Entry forms, donation details and route maps for the run can be downloaded from www.DubaiTerryFoxRun.org.

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