The Al Habtoor Group sponsored the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K Run in Central Park in New York on Sunday 9 April 2017. Joanna Andrews was in New York for the event.
It was in New York for the event. t was smiles all around as a large Emirati contingent descended upon Central Park in New York on Sunday 9 April 2017 to participate in the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K Run in honour of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder and President of the United Arab Emirates.
The Al Habtoor Group has sponsored the race for two years running. Now in its 13th year, the 10 kilometer run was started to promote education and awareness of kidney health and kidney disease. The proceeds of the event go to the National Kidney Foundation.
Khalaf Al Habtoor said, "I am proud to sponsor the Healthy Kidney 10K Run in New York. It is for a great cause in memory of a great leader, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The race brings together many different nationalities for a very worthy cause. The atmosphere in Central Park was amazing. People got the opportunity to witness Emirati hospitality."
Al Habtoor was in his element as he cheered on some 30,000 participants on the day. He was joined by several high-profile Emiratis including Lt General Mohammed Helal Al Kaabi and Brigadier General Ismail Alawadhi, UAE Defense Attaché to the United States. Lt General Al Kaabi is head of the Sheikh Zayed Healthy Kidney 10k committee. American actor Tyrese Gibson also joined the Chairman to encourage the runners.
The first male and female winners to cross the finish line were awarded $10,000 each. US athlete, Sam Chelanga, won the race in 28:21, while Mamitu Daska, of Ethiopia, finished first for the women in 31:37. The Embassy of the UAE added an incentive by offering a $30,000 Zayed Bonus for the first man to break a record time of 27:35 and the first woman to finish the race in under 30:44.