7EmiratesRun in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation welcomed international ultra-marathon runners for the sixth edition
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, the 6th edition of the 7EmiratesRun in partnership with Al Jalila Foundation concluded in Hatta at JA Hatta Fort Hotel.
The 497 kilometer, 7-day run is held annually in honour of UAE National Day with the mission to ‘get children back on their feet’. The UAE’s only cross-country charity run aims to raise funds for life-changing surgery and post-operative medical support for children born with limb deformities through Al Jalila Foundation’s iMcan program. iMcan, mobility in Arabic, is dedicated to providing mobility through prostheses to amputees.
Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “7EmiratesRun is an exceptional sporting endeavour that draws participants united in their passion for running and philanthropy. We are delighted to see the growing interest from international runners with the endurance run attracting several participants from abroad this year, including someone who has completed 1000 marathons around the world. In its sixth edition the UAE cross country run has already become a fixture in the global ultra-marathon calendar helping children back on their feet.”
Wendelin Lauxen, Founder & Director of 7EmiratesRun and Managing Director of DHCC-based German Limbtech, said: “The 7EmiratesRun course has been designed to give runners a chance to explore the beauty of the UAE on foot through its varied landscape. This year, we are excited to welcome international runners with impressive track records of ultra-running around the world. Together, we ran to spread the joy of running, promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness for children in need.”
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of DMCC, said: DMCC is proud to sponsor and support the 7EmiratesRun, a challenging cross country endurance race that celebrates the diversity of the UAE whilst bringing people keen to embrace an active lifestyle together with one common goal: To raise funds for children in need by providing a safe and encouraging environment. We would like to thank everyone who have supported this important cause”.
iMcan also aims to end stigma around mobility and inspire others to challenge themselves to go beyond convention and live a life of no limits. Once again amputee runner Abdulmumin Yusuf with prosthetic limbs joined the 7EmiratesRun team for 10 kilometres every day. Proving the popularity of the cross-country run, several international runners participated including acclaimed ultra-marathon runners, Rainer Koch and Klaus Neumann who recently completed 1000 marathons. A number of relay teams participated in the event including an all-women Emirati team from Dubai and a team from Germany.
The 7EmiratesRun, led by Wendelin Lauxen, commenced in Abu Dhabi on 18 November 2017 and traversed Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah concluding in Hatta, with an average of 70 kilometres covered per day.
“We are delighted to welcome the 7EmiratesRun this year and be the finishing point for the runners,” said Deborah Thomson, General Manager of JA Hatta Fort Hotel. “We have always encouraged sports and fitness here in Hatta and now it has become the perfect destination for outdoor activities and the perfect fit for athletics. We know it has been a challenge and active week for the participants for such a great cause and we are looking forward to extending our heartfelt welcome to the race participants here at JA Hatta Fort Hotel.”
To date, Al Jalila Foundation has supported more than 25 patients (including 7 children) and invested over AED 1.5 million to empower individuals through its iMcan program.
The 7EmiratesRun was endorsed by Dubai Sports Council and major sponsors included DMCC, Ottobock, German Limbtech, Dubai Healthcare City, DBAJ, Monviso Water and Hertz UAE.