DUBAI // More than 800 runners braved temperatures as high as 40°C to take part in the Wings for Life World Run on Sunday in Dubai, raising money for spinal cord injury research.
More than 400 others in the UAE donated to the cause, helping to raise a global total of Dh27 million after a record 130,732 registered participants took part in Wings for Life World Run across 33 countries.
This was the second time that Dubai took part in the global race, which this year saw celebrity Mustafa Agha drive a BMW X5 to chase runners, who had to keep pace ahead of the catcher car until only one runner remained.
Paralysed US Skydiver Jarret Martin, a Wings for Life ambassador, took part in the run, saying it was an “absolutely incredible” experience.
“There were much more people than I expected,” he said. “I did way better than I thought I would do. I was aiming for 5km and was able to reach 11km.
“I am so glad to be part of it, and I think it was a success despite the hot temperature.”
This year’s winner in the Men’s division in Dubai was Portuguese runner Helder Santos, who ran more than 54km, while Columbian Carolina Gutierrez, who ran a distance of 21.52km, was the winner of the women’s division.
“This was an exhausting yet exhilarating run, knowing that I was running with hundreds of people behind me, and thousands of people around the world, in supporting a worthy cause,” said Mr Santos. “Everyone who was running did so with a spirit of encouragement as we all did it for those who can’t.
“Crossing the virtual finish line when the catcher car passed was a sensational experience, one unlike I’ve ever experienced.”
Ms Gutierrez said the run was challenging, given the weather conditions.
“I had to dig really deep to be able to cover this much distance,” she said. “I’m just ecstatic at the turnout in Dubai and at everyone’s performance in this heat.”
dmoukhallati@thenational.ae
