Abu Dhabi: More than 12,000 participants are expected to take part in the 14th annual Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run (TFR) which aims to raise funds for a cancer research project in the faculty of medicine at the UAE University.

This year's event is due to take place on February 20 and will feature a gig by a local Canadian band as well as a live performance by the Abu Dhabi Falcons ice hockey team and a quick cardio routine as a pre-run warm-up.

People can walk, run, roller-blade or skateboard, and the course is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, but cyclists will not be permitted due to safety considerations.

Among the 39 venues where the event is staged, Dubai and Abu Dhabi count among the top 10 in terms of revenue generated.

"The UAE stands in third place among the top 10 revenue-generating countries, with a total of Dh1,045,000," Farid Dabaghi, chair of the Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run Committee, told Gulf News.

An award for the most money donated is handed out to an organisation and another award is reserved for the largest group of participants for the event.

"We have been able to fund a number of significant cancer research projects at Al Tawam Hospital in Al Ain after having raised an overall total of over Dh4 million," said Dabaghi.

The course for the run will be from the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort car park to the Khaleej Al Arabi Road (30th Street) and back.

Registration for the event, which is open to all, will begin at 8am and participants will be flagged off at 10am.

Participants are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the live programme among other things.

Participants are encouraged to use public transportation or to make it to the venue by walk in view of the limited parking space available.

Donations

Cheque donations can be made payable to 'Abu Dhabi Terry Fox Run' and sent to Sultan International Holding, PO Box 3486, Abu Dhabi, UAE.