Zayed Marathon aims for 50,000 runners in Cairo

Money raised to help treat child cancer victims.

The starting gun for the 10-km Zayed Marathon in Cairo will fire on December 5 in the Egyptian capital with a total prize purse of more than Dh500,000 on offer. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // The Zayed Marathon in Cairo hopes to attract 50,000 runners this year to support paediatric cancer patients in Egypt, organisers said on Monday.

Donations from the December 5 event will go to the Children's Cancer Hospital 57357 in Egypt, said Lt Gen Mohammed Al Kaabi, chairman of the board of directors of the Armed Forces Officers Club.

The hospital, which depends fully on donations to treat all children with cancer, is one of the largest of its type in the world.

Currently, the facility has more than 20,000 cancer patients and 8,000 under treatment.

The 10km race is held in memory of the UAE’s founding President, Sheikh Zayed, who underwent a kidney transplant in the United States in 2000.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established the marathon in New York and Abu Dhabi to raise awareness about kidney disease, from which Sheikh Zayed suffered.

“After helping thousands in need of treatment for kidney disease Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed decided to organise the third leg of the Zayed Marathon in Cairo to support children suffering from cancer,” Lt Gen Al Kaabi said.

The total prize money is 1 million Egyptian pounds (Dh513,000).

The run has four categories: professional male and female runners, a general race for male and female runners, children below 17 years, and people with special needs.

The event coincides with this year’s National Day celebrations.

Arabic and western performers will entertain competitors and spectators alike at the entertainment village.

Other attractions include a national heritage booth that will be organising entertainment and educational activities.

It is being organised by the Armed Forces Officers Club in coordination with the UAE Embassy in Cairo and the Children’s Cancer Hospital 57357.

Donations can be deposited directly into hospital’s bank account at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi in Khaleej Al Arabi Road.