ABU DHABI // On Sunday afternoon, when the temperature climbs to nearly 40°C, Chris Khouri says there will be no excuses for not participating in the Wings for Life World Run in Dubai.
The 42-year old Dubai resident and race ambassador will be among the walkers, joggers, triathletes and marathon runners who will be taking part to raise money for the Wings for Life Foundation – a non-profit spinal cord research foundation that aims to find a cure for injuries which affect nearly 3 million people worldwide.
A paraplegic with little control of his body from the chest down, Mr Khouri’s life changed six years ago after a motocross accident in the desert of Dubai.
“It was a regular weekend, a beautiful day, and I fell, it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“I knew right away. I looked at my legs, and they didn’t belong to me.
“It was a bit out of character for me, but I had this voice in me that said this is my new reality.
“Instead of giving up, something in me said, I’m going to fight this.”
Years later, his dedication and determination have brought the run to the UAE, and it is unlike any other marathon event.
On Sunday, 90,000 Wings for Life participants in 35 races, in 33 countries, are expected to set off from a start point at 3pm UAE time, and thirty minutes later, a “catcher car” will depart from the same point.
The car starts travelling at 15kph, gradually increasing in speed each hour.
Once a runner is passed by the car, they are eliminated.
Last year, Lemawork Ketema of Ethiopia ran 78.57 kilometres before being caught.
Dubai will be the only city in the region to host the run this year, which follows the inaugural event last year that saw a total of 35,397 runners worldwide raise US$4 million (Dh14.6m).
But bringing it here had its own challenges. Weather conditions and the timing of the race – at the start of the work week – were cited as obstacles, but Mr Khouri “would not take ‘no’ for an answer”.
“I said, ‘Why is it taking place in 33 countries and not in the UAE? We always have everything and we are always are the first to do everything. Why not?’” he said.
“My motto, particularly since my accident, has been ‘No excuses’.”
He organised an unofficial trial run of the event in Dubai last year in which 250 runners raised US$20,000 (Dh 73,500).
“The result of it is that both Red Bull and the Wings For Life Foundation said let’s put Dubai as one of the destinations,” he said.
With the foundations laid by Mr Khouri, this year’s event, which begins at the Dubai Autodrome, is being organised by Red Bull, which pays the operating costs around the world, allowing 100 per cent of the money raised to go to research.
Registrations are triple those of last year, and runners can sign up on race day.
“People will find excuses not to come, but I don’t believe them,” he said.
To get people to come out, he said he has spoken directly with the bosses of certain runners who ended up getting the day off work.
“Yes, it’s hot,” he said. “How do you think I overcame the fact that I am in a chair every single day, dealing with the challenges that I deal with?”
With no race finish line, Mr Khouri said he is particularly attracted to the symbolism of that particular aspect of the event, as it relates to the circumstances of his injury.
“Today, for me and millions of other people with spinal cord injuries, the reality is we don’t see the finish line. I have no idea where my finish line is,” he said.
Regaining the ability to walk would be “nirvana”, but spinal cord injuries can affect bowel, bladder, and sexual functions, can result in 24-hour pain, and often put a significant burden on family members, he said.
“The day will come when my shoulders won’t carry me anymore, and I will need help with the most basic functions in my body, and I don’t want that day to come,” he said.
“If one, two, or three of the current research projects that are currently happening can help me with that, imagine how my quality of life can improve.”
“I’m going to prove to everyone that I can do it.
“You are your own driving force.”
esamoglou@thenational.ae
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
The specs
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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The UAE FTA requires following to be kept:
- Records of all supplies and imports of goods and services
- All tax invoices and tax credit notes
- Alternative documents related to receiving goods or services
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Notable groups (UAE time)
Jordan Spieth, Si Woo Kim, Henrik Stenson (12.47pm)
Justin Thomas, Justin Rose, Louis Oosthuizen (12.58pm)
Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, Tommy Fleetwood (1.09pm)
Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, Zach Johnson (4.04pm)
Rickie Fowler, Paul Casey, Adam Scott (4.26pm)
Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy (5.48pm)
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
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You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
