Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice- Chairman & CEO, Al Habtoor Group took part in the 14th Zayed Charity Marathon held in New York’s Central Park on Sunday 29 April 2018. The event, also known as the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K, is part of the New York Road Runner’s Pro Racing Series and draws tens of thousands of people annually making it one of the top marathons globally. It marks the third year running that the Al Habtoor Group is the main sponsor of the 10 kilometre race held in honour of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder and President of the United Arab Emirates.
Al Habtoor was joined by several prominent Emiratis including Retired Lt. General Mohammad Halal Al Kaabi, Head of the Organizing Committee, Zayed Charity Marathon; Colonel Mohammad Ali Amer, General Coordinator, Zayed Charity Marathon; and H.E. Omar Al Shamsi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, DC. American rapper, singer, songwriter and composer, Flo Rida, made a special appearance to support the charitable event.
All proceeds raised during the run go to the National Kidney Foundation, the leading organization in the US dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease. To date, the Zayed Charity Marathon has raised more than $165 mln to support tens of millions of patients at risk. The organization also promotes education and awareness of kidney health and kidney disease on a global scale.
Mohammed Al Habtoor said, "The Zayed Charity Marathon supports a good cause and most importantly showcases the generosity and vision of a great leader and Founding Father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed. This year we celebrate 100 years since the birth of the late Sheikh Zayed and the Al Habtoor Group is proud to be taking part in an international event that embodies the UAE’s founding principles of unity,tolerance and inclusiveness. I am impressed with the excellent organization and turnout of participants from across the US."
Earlier in the week the Group Vice- Chairman & CEO visited the National Kidney Foundation headquarters in New York City where he was briefed on the impact of UAE donations and the specialized treatment received by patients suffering from kidney diseases. During his visit, Al Habtoor was welcomed by His Excellency Majid Al Suwaidi, Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in New York at a reception hosted at the Consulate’s headquarters on 5th Avenue. Al Habtoor also attended a special event hosted at NASDAQ MarketSite, the commercial marketing presence of the NASDAQ stock market located in Times Square, New York City where he met with senior representatives Adena T. Friedman, Vice President & CEO, Joseph Brantuk, Vice President, IPO-New Listing and David Wicks, Vice President of the Corporate Client Group.
Over 11,000 participants registered in the 14th Annual UAE Healthy Kidney 10k Run. Kenyan athlete Rhonex Kipruto took the podium at the UAE Healthy Kidney 10K with a new event record of 27:08. The 18-year-old also claimed the fastest 10K national time run on US soil on a recordeligible course. Kipruto took home the $30,000 Zayed Bonus, courtesy of the Embassy of the UAE in honour of Sheikh Zayed, by beating the men’s record of 27:35 set in 2011. In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Buze Diriba finished first with a time of 32:04 receiving prize money of $10,000 at the 14th annual race in Central Park.