Terry Fox run draws 15,000 to Abu Dhabi Corniche

Since the first run in 1995, more than Dh7.7 million has been raised for cancer research.

Thousands flocked to the Abu Dhabi Corniche to take part in the 16th annual Terry Fox Run.

ABU DHABI // More than 15,000 people participated in the 16th annual Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run yesterday.

First held in 1995, the 10km event has so far raised more than Dh7.7 million to finance 35 cancer research projects.

Among those who turned out at the Corniche was Bianca Steigberg, who participated in one of the first Terry Fox Runs in Canada in 1981 and helped organise runs in Saudi Arabia and Austria before moving to Abu Dhabi in 2005. She said the event in the UAE was unique, particularly for the many different groups it involved.

"You've got all these people - workers, mechanics, cleaners - they come and they donate, you see them putting in Dh5-10, but it's a lot of money [for them], and I see the same faces every year," she said.

Nafisa Taha, the chairwoman of this year's event, said organisers targeted students this year by sending volunteers to 17 schools to raise interest.