Thousands of athletes set to take part in Abu Dhabi run

Entrants from across the region will help raise money for cancer by taking part in the Terry Fox Run

Thousands of people took part in the Terry Fox Run in Abu Dhabi last year. Khushnum Bhandari The National

Thousands of athletes are set to take part in a global fun run in Abu Dhabi this Friday.

Entrants from across the region will gather in the capital to race either 5km or 10km in the Terry Fox Run.

The annual event is held in honour of Mr Fox, who died of Osteogenic sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in 1981 aged 22.

The run is open to individuals, families and groups wanting to help raise money for cancer research in his name.

"One of Terry’s guiding principles for the Terry Fox Run was that the run be inclusive to everyone - just as cancer can affect anyone," said Fred Fox, Terry Fox’s older brother.

“The funds raised are making a difference to this global problem of cancer and Terry’s example is continuing to inspire people around the world.”

Mr Fox, from Winnipeg, Canada, was first diagnosed with bone cancer as a teenager in 1977.

Later that year, he was forced to have his right leg amputated six inches above the knee in an effort to stop the spread of the disease.

Refusing to succumb to the illnesses, he decided to help spread awareness of cancer by running more than 5,000km from the west coast of Canada to the east coast in just 143 days – averaging a marathon a day.

Tragically, he collapsed before being able to complete the epic journey and was rushed to hospital where he later died.

Today, annual Terry Fox runs are held in more than 40 countries around the world to commemorate his life and his bravery.

Friday’s race will mark the 22nd occasion the event has been held in Abu Dhabi. To date, the races have raised some Dh22 million.