Dr. Khaled Al-Suwaidi becomes first Emirati to run a 327 km ultramarathon from Fujairah Port to Zayed Port
Thus, Dr. Khaled became the first Emirati citizen to complete this long distance from the east coast to the west coast of the United Arab Emirates. He was greeted at the finish line by H.E. General Mohammed Khalfan Al-Rumaithi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, H.E. Captain Mohammad Juma Al-Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Ports Company, and H.E. Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Director General of Abu Dhabi Media Company.
H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cancer Patient Care Society, “Rahma”, expressed his pride and pleasure in his son Dr. Khaled and his delight at his son’s completion of this extraordinary challenge, made in conjunction with “The Year of Zayed”.
H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi praised the great support provided by national organizations and companies to this noble humanitarian initiative, led by the General Headquarters of Abu Dhabi Police, Abu Dhabi Ports, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and NMC Hospital.
His Excellency stressed that this support and generous care emphasize the roots of the culture of giving and social responsibility in our beloved homeland.
H.E. Captain Mohammed Jumaa Al-Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Ports Company, commented: “Abu Dhabi Ports is extremely proud to have partnered with the Cancer Patient Care Society – Rahma through supporting Dr. Khaled’s incredible ultramarathon. The Rahma Run was poignant not only for us at Abu Dhabi Ports but for the UAE as it coincided with the Year of Zayed, which celebrates the UAE’s founding father whose impactful legacy as a global humanitarian is well known.”
Three years ago Dr. Khaled suffered from obesity and he weighed about 125 kg. During his visit to the doctor, the doctor faced him with the possibility of being diabetic and suffering from high cholesterol and other health symptoms. Dr. Khaled felt frustrated and sad, and this was the defining moment for him, the moment of transformation in his life. From that moment on, and after he received his two children, Dr. Khaled radically changed his life and began to work hard to improve his lifestyle, reduce his weight, and maintain his health. He was able to lose 50 kg.
On his side, Mr. Abdullah Salem Al-Kaabi, Director General of Rahma, said: “We are very pleased with the success of Dr. Khaled Al-Suwaidi’s initiative. The completion of this challenge is in fact a reflection of our society’s objectives in addressing challenges and difficulties and providing all support to these patients. Dr. Khaled’s initiative helped raise awareness of the wonderful work of charity in our society. We would like to thank Abu Dhabi Ports for their support of this initiative.”
It is worth noting that this initiative was inspired by the experience of H.E. Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Cancer Patient Care Society, “Rahma”, in facing cancer and overcoming it.
The Rahma charitable ultramarathon was organized by the Cancer Patient Care Society, “Rahma”. The list of supporters of the event, in addition to Abu Dhabi Ports, include Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Agthia Company, NMC Hospital, CRYO Abu Dhabi, Revive, and Simple Cafe.