Terry Fox run Abu Dhabi: More than 1,000 hit the streets for cancer campaign

The event - which raises hundreds of millions of dollars - is in its 22nd year in the UAE capital

Volunteers prepare for the run on Friday morning on Corniche Beach. All photos by Leslie Pableo for The National

Runners warm up before the race.

About 1,000 people are believed to have taken part.

A runner leads hundreds in stretching together.

Runners stream over the starting line on Friday morning.

Abu Dhabi's race alone has raised more than Dh22 million over the past two decades.

Runner Tareq, who lost his legs during an accident, pounds the streets on Friday.

Finishers cheer as they cross the line.

The beach run is popular with families and more serious runners.

People starting to arrive at the Terry Fox Run, Corniche Beach.

Some runners braved fancy dress costumes on what turned out to be a hot morning.

Tareq who lost his legs during an accident is participating in the run at the Terry Fox Run, Corniche Beach.

Youngsters take part in the run.

This dog was brought along to cheer on runners.

Participants running at the Terry Fox Run, Corniche Beach.

Runners show their finishing certificates.

One youngster cycled the route.

Fox famously ran across Canada with a prosthetic leg after losing it to cancer.

Runners celebrate after finishing the race.

More than 1,000 people hit the streets on Friday morning for the Terry Fox Run in Abu Dhabi.

Runners took to Corniche Beach to raise money for cancer research.

The annual event is held in 40 countries across the world in memory of Fox - who ran more than 5,000km across Canada in 1980 after losing a leg to cancer. He died in 1981.

To date an estimated $750 million (Dh2.7 billion) has been raised for the foundation. Previous races in Abu Dhabi have raised a total of Dh22m. Friday's figures are still being calculated.

"It is timeless and international," Fred Fox, Terry's older brother, told The National ahead of the race.

“Not only is Terry’s example continuing to inspire people around the world, but the funds raised for cancer research are making a difference to this global problem of cancer.”

He said that the event’s ethos was to make sure it is "inclusive of everyone,” he said.

As the event has grown in profile it has attracted the attention of companies who have been keen to attach their name to it – this has proven to be a difficult juggling act for the organisers.

“It is an ongoing challenge for us to have to turn down offers for corporate sponsorship,” said Mr Fox.

“But it keeps the focus on the mission, not the sponsor.”

Additional reporting by Isaac Scott