Dubai: The Dubai Holding SkyRun, Dubai’s only official stairlift race, is back.
In its 17th edition, Dubai Holding SkyRun 2022 in partnership with the International Skyrunning Federation, Dubai Sports Council, Al Jalila Foundation and Jumeirah Emirates Towers – where the event will be hosted – will take place on November 12, Dubai Holding announced.
A race on the 52 floors comprising 1,334 steps of the Jumeirah Emirates Towers office tower, Dubai Holding SkyRun will challenge amateur and professional runners from the United Arab Emirates and the rest of the world to compete for a good cause. All funds raised from the charity run will be donated to Majlis Al Amal through the Al Jalila Foundation, the official beneficiary of Dubai Holding’s various wellness initiatives.
Dubai Holding SkyRun 2022 will be open to a total of 250 participants, including 20-30 professional athletes, in three categories: Elite, Open and Teams (out of four). Dubai Holding will reward the top three male and female riders in the Elite and Open categories as well as the top three teams in the Team category. The group will also recognize the participation of determined individuals in the race. The top three female and male winners in the Elite category as well as the fastest team in the Teams category will receive cash prizes from Dubai Holding.
Huda Buhumaid, Chief Impact Officer, Dubai Holding, said: “We are extremely excited to bring back the highly anticipated Dubai Holding SkyRun, the only event of the year from the newly launched World Stairclimbing Championships. Taking place during the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2022, this race reiterates our commitment to helping Dubai become one of the healthiest, happiest and most vibrant cities in the world. It is an integral part of our Corporate Wellness Program, which has successfully promoted health and wellbeing since its launch in 2007. This goes hand in hand with our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 to to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of all.
“We witnessed the most successful edition of this long-running race in 2019, in which a large number of male and female participants showed exceptional sportsmanship and enthusiasm. We are confident that in this next edition, we will see participants pushing boundaries, reaching new heights and achieving greater success. We look forward to welcoming participants to this year’s race,” added Buhumaid.
Since 2008, stairclimbing has been a recognized discipline of the International Skyrunning Federation which governs, promotes and sanctions vertical running, whether at high altitude in the mountains or in urban skyscrapers.
Marino Giacometti, President of the International Skyrunning Federation, said: “We are delighted to celebrate our first World Climbing Championships at the Dubai Holding SkyRun 2022 after our very successful collaboration since 2016 with the Vertical World Circuit.”
“It has been an intensive year to celebrate no less than three world championships in our various disciplines and we are now ready to invite the world’s best skyscraper runners together with the best international skyrunning athletes to test their vertical running skills. – inside rather than outside.”
The official race of the Dubai Sports Council’s annual sports calendar, the Dubai Holding SkyRun is also a flagship event of the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), an initiative launched in 2017 by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive counsel. DFC encourages residents and visitors to adopt a healthier and more active lifestyle by committing to 30 minutes of physical activity a day for 30 days.
Proceeds from Dubai Holding SkyRun 2022 will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation’s Majlis Al Amal, the first cancer drop-in center in the United Arab Emirates and the first community center of its kind dedicated to women with cancer and their well-being. -be.
Dr. Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Together, sports and philanthropy are the perfect platform to raise awareness and funds for important causes. We are delighted to once again be the charitable beneficiary of the Dubai Holding SkyRun. This year’s event will support female cancer patients, as cancer is one of the most prevalent health issues among women, and we are grateful that the Dubai Holding SkyRun shines a light on such an important cause. 100% of proceeds from this event will support our mission to fund cancer research and treatment to bring hope to patients. »
Dr Abdulkareem added: “Last year, the Al Jalila Foundation opened Majlis Al Amal, the first cancer drop-in center in the United Arab Emirates, a home away from home for patients and survivors. cancer. All services and activities (offered free of charge) are designed to inspire, nurture and support women throughout their cancer journey.
Kirti Anchan, Managing Director of Jumeirah Emirates Towers, said: “We are honored to continue hosting the Dubai Holding SkyRun for the 17th consecutive year. Every year we are amazed by the number of runners and athletes who take part in this charity run up the 52 floors, 1334 steps, 265 meters of the iconic Jumeirah Emirates Towers office tower to benefit the Al Jalila Foundation. Seeing their passion inspires us to support such a key initiative and participate in the emirate’s wellness and fitness month – Dubai Fitness Challenge. We look forward to continuing to host the sporting competition for many years to come. »
Dubai Holding SkyRun 2019 saw a record attendance of over 500 runners, including 27 teams, 18 international elite runners and 100 female runners. The truly diverse participants represented 53 countries, people of different ages with the youngest runner aged 16 and the oldest 77, in addition to the enthusiastic participation of determined people. A new course record was set by Piotr Lodzinski at 6 minutes and 55 seconds, while the fastest runner, Suzanne Walsham, finished in 8.03 minutes.
Dubai Holding SkyRun 2022 is supported by the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD); JClub, Fitbit and Monviso, Italian natural mineral water.
