Zayed New York marathon attracts thousands

The Zayed Charity Marathon in New York’s Central Park attracted almost 8,000 participants on Saturday. Courtesy ECSSR

The 12th Zayed Charity Marathon proved a running success over the weekend in New York City asalmost 8,000 people, including a delegation from the Cancer Patient Care Society (CPCS) Rahma, participated.

The event, named after the Founding President, Sheikh Zayed, took place in Central Park on Saturday. It is also known as the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, with proceeds going to the Healthy Kidney Foundation.

Dr Jamal Al Suwaidi, CPCS Rahma chairman, said the marathon demonstrated the bright, humanitarian side of the UAE.

He said Rahma’s participation in the Zayed Charity Marathons – held in the UAE, Cairo and New York – was part of the society’s focus on raising awareness and educating the community about cancer, its causes and means of prevention.

Rahma provides moral and psychological support to ­patients and their families, and a database of the best hospitals and medical centres for treatment, Dr Al Suwaidi said.

The Rahma delegation also participated in the social and cultural UAE Day Festival that accompanied the run.

Race winners Lucas Rotich and Cynthia Limo were presented with cheques for US$25,000 (Dh91,823).

Other UAE sponsors and participants included Emirates Red Crescent, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and Abu Dhabi Sports Council.