Alexandria to host Zayed Charity Marathon Egypt on Friday

CAIRO, 20th December, 2022 (WAM) — Lt. General Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Zayed Charity Marathon Egypt, commended the work of the Ahl Masr Burns Hospital in the New Cairo and noted that it is an Egyptian mega project that represents a model that the region should emulate.

At a press conference held at the hospital to announce the preparations for the marathon’s 7th edition, which will take place in Alexandria next Friday, Al Kaabi said that the marathon was the brain child of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

This year’s prize money will total AED5 million, and 60 Umrah trips will be distributed through raffle draws after the end of the race, while in-kind gifts, such as clothes and heaters, will be presented by sponsors, partners and charitable institutions, he added.

The hospital will receive the proceeds of the marathon, he further added. It is appreciated in the UAE and Egypt, and will take place according to the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and with the monitoring of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region.

The press conference was attended by Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports; Mariam Khalifa Al Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to Egypt; Fahd Abdul Rahman bin Sultan, Assistant Secretary of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC); Dr. Heba Al Suwaidi, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ahl Masr Foundation and Hospital, and several leaders of the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Ahl Masr Hospital.

Lt. General Al Kaaba praised the patronage of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt, for the event, as well as the role of the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports in providing logistical support and organising all arrangements, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and with the support of the ERC.

Dr. Sobhi lauded the concept of the marathon and Egypt’s hosting of its seventh edition. The marathon is taking place on the creative idea of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed and symbolises the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.

Mariam Al Kaabi thanked Dr. Sobhi and highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Egypt and the UAE.

Founded over 20 years ago, the Zayed Charity Marathon is an iconic, worldwide humanitarian running race held in honour of Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE. The first Egypt edition of the race took place in 2014.

Reflecting the deep-rooted friendship between Egypt and the UAE, crowds of people are expected to come out and run for charity and the event will take place for the first time in the ancient city of Alexandria. Featuring a 2km race for people of determination, children under 10, and elders over 60 and a 10km race for men and women, the inclusive races will start and end at the Alexandria Stadium.