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29 March 2024

7EmiratesRun aims to raise Dh777,000

At the press conference to announce the second edition of the 7EmiratesRun. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Registration has begun for the 7EmiratesRun for charity to be staged across the UAE  from November 21 to December 2 covering a distance of 575 kilometres.

Organisers hope raise Dh777,000 as 49 runners divided into seven teams will race in a relay-format across the seven Emirates during the 12-day run beginning in Abu Dhabi and finishing at Burj Khalifa in Dubai on UAE's 43rd National Day.

The second 7EmiratesRun is held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation, supported by Dubai Sports Council and sponsored by Buimerc Corporation.

"Personally this is a big moment for me. In 2009 I had the vision to estgablish 7EmiratesRun as a public event. Last year I did it with seven other people to run across in 11 days. Now we have more runners. I'm very happy that we could inspire so many people," said 7EmiratesRun Race Director Wendelin Lauxen at a press conference at Dubai Sports Council.

Other sponsors include Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), a health and wellness destination, German Limbtech, a leading orthopaedic solution provider operating in DHCC, and Dubai Bone and Joint Center (DBAJ), a comprehensive medical centre for musculoskeletal treatment and research.

Last year Dubai-based runners traversed the seven emirates to raise funds so Mohammed Ayoub, a Sharjah toddler suffering from limb deformities, could get back on his feet.

A total of Dh100,000 was raised to fund his surgeries and post-operative care. Today, Mohammed is able to walk with prosthetic support.

The funds were raised by the runners for Mohammed through Al Jalila Foundation’s charitable fund A’awen that helps patients in the UAE who cannot afford medical treatment. 

The second edition of the 7EmiratesRun hopes to raise Dh777,000 to support more children in the UAE with similar disabilities.

Lauxen, Guinness World Record holder of fastest time to complete a marathon on each of the seven continents, said: "We run for the pure joy of running, to promote a healthy lifestyle and to raise awareness for children in need. We are excited to welcome runners for the last leg – Sharjah to Dubai, to celebrate the 43rd UAE National Day."

Ghazi Al Madani, Sports Tourism Director at Dubai Sports Council, was the first runner to sign up for 10km run.  

The 7EmiratesRun has four categories.

Category one, participants can run the entire 575km course; two, participants can be part of a seven-member team relay; three, participants can choose to run on any individual days either the full course or partial; and the fourth category, participants can be part of the special UAE National Day marathon limited to 43 runners.

The fourth category will commemorate 43 years of the federation symbolised by the number – 43 runners – who will join the 7EmiratesRun team on the last leg of the run from Sharjah to Dubai.

Lauxen, who is also Managing Director of DHCC-based German Limbtech, said: “The 7EmiratesRun team is back this year with much stronger determination and support. We have expanded the categories – there is something for everyone. Running across the seven Emirates is an incredible feat. The course has been designed to give runners a chance to explore the beauty of the country on foot through its varied landscape.”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “The expansion of the 7EmiratesRun and the strong support we have received reflects the significant impact that government bodies, corporates, foundations and members of the community can have on people’s lives when they all come together. Al Jalila Foundation is delighted to be at the core of this collaboration. Such events help generate the support we depend on to fund our medical education, research and treatment programmes. More importantly, they help cultivate a culture where health is the utmost priority, which in turn, supports our vision to position the UAE the forefront of medical innovation.” 

Dr Ahmed Al Sharif, Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council, said: “Dubai Sports Council is pleased to support this important sporting event, which delivers various benefits on both athletic and humanitarian levels. It also plays an important role in strengthening ties between the UAE’s citizens and residents.”

"The UAE witnesses hundreds of sporting events throughout the year, and we welcome 7EmiratesRun as a key annual event in the busy sports agenda. We are keen to support the success and continuity of this event, and are delighted to be partners alongside Al Jalila Foundation in this mission.”

Siddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman and CEO of Buimerc Corporation, the title sponsor of 7EmiratesRun, and patron of Al Jalila Foundation’s Majlis Al Ata’a said: “Buimerc is proud to continue our support to Al Jalila Foundation and to this inspiring event, which combines health and charity. As a UAE-based organisation we are committed to supporting homegrown institutions. Together we as corporate entities should rally for causes that will improve the lives of people in the UAE.”

Marwan Abedin, CEO of Dubai Healthcare City, saidd: “We are delighted to support Al Jalila Foundation and 7EmiratesRun for the second consecutive year. Charity runs have spurred thousands to support a cause and donate. Like other global fundraising events, we envision that the 7EmiratesRun will grow in support and popularity. Our best wishes to the endurance team led by Wendelin Lauxen who is a DHCC business partner. On a related note, events such as walks, runs and marathons, bring people and their families together, and inspire community-scale support for health and wellness.”

To support 7EmiratesRun visit www.7emiratesrun.com and  www.aljalilafoundation.ae/donate or call 800-ALJALILA.