Friends of Arthritis Patients Association (FOAP) at the Supreme Council for Family Affairs announced its preparations for the 9th annual charitable marathon, which will kick off on March 26, under the motto ” Taking action is all in your hands.”

The event is part of the Association’s vision to promote community awareness of health and humanitarian activities and shed light on arthritis.

The charitable marathon will take place on Saturday, March 26th, along Mamzar beach, Sharjah, while the finish line is Al Qasba Roundabout.

The Association seeks through this year’s edition to attract more than five thousand participants of all age groups, while introducing a new category of participants, namely doctors and specialists.

This came during the press conference held on Tuesday at the Sharjah Sheraton, in the presence of Waheeda Abdel Aziz, Head of the Arthritis Patients Friends Association, Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, President of the Sharjah International Marine Sports Club, Saeed Al-Ajeel, Director of Government Communication at the Sharjah Sports Council, Eng. FathiAfaneh, CEO of Fast Building Contracting, members of the Health Promotion Department, Association volunteers, and media professionals.

“The charitable marathon comes as part of the Association’s keenness to spur efforts to support arthritis patients, promote community health awareness and consolidate health practices to ensure the prevention of chronic diseases,” said Waheeda Abdelaziz.

She pointed out that cooperation with public and private institutions in organizing this sports festival exemplifies the spirit of social solidarity with patients and contributes to promoting a culture of volunteerism, in line with directives of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs.

Khalid Jassim Al Midfa said that the charitable marathon is one of the most important community, sports and health events in Sharjah, in line with the directives of our wise leadership aimed at intensifying efforts to enhance the health of community members, spreading community health awareness, educating community members about the symptoms and complications of joint diseases, and urging families to lead healthy lifestyles.

Saeed Al-Ajel stated that the Sharjah Sports Council pays much attention to this event, as part of its vision to keep pace with various sporting events, whether locally, regionally and globally.

He added that the marathon has become one of the major sports and health events in Sharjah, given the fact that it primarily focuses on promoting health awareness for community members and highlighting the importance of exercise in promoting health.

Eng. FathiAfaneh underlined his company’s interest to continue support for the annual charitable marathon and to provide all forms of care for it to achieve the desired sustainability and help it achieve its goals of supporting arthritis patients.

The charitable marathon will include sports, awareness and recreational activities, through which the Association will focus on providing the participants with moral support, tips and guidance to encourage them to work out.

Health awareness brochures will be handed out and free medical examinations will be provided to the participants.

The Health Promotion Department will also assign nutritionists to provide healthy nutritional guidance to the participants.

Through the marathon, the FOAP seeks to garner support and raise funds that would help the Association continue its journey towards providing treatment for arthritis patients and supporting them to enjoy a happy lifestyle.

The marathon consists of five stages for five categories according to their age and mobility. The kilometer-long first stage is dedicated to retirees, men and women, FOAP patients and those with motor disabilities. There’s another one-km stage dedicated to boys and girls, aged 6 – 10 years and those with mental and auditory disabilities. The three and a half stage is dedicated to boys and girls, aged 11 to 17 years.The fourth stage, a three and a half long, is dedicated to boys and girls, aged 15 to 18 years old. The six-kilometer-long stage is dedicated to men and women, aged 18 years and above.

Those wishing to participate in the marathon can register via the website https://foapmarathon.com or call the phone number 065065511.