1,500 Participants from More Than 50 Nationalities Compete at Sharjah Ladies Run

In the presence of Her Excellency Ohoud bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for

Happiness and Wellbeing, the fifth edition of Sharjah Ladies Run (SLR), held exclusively to women and girls, concluded successfully witnessing the participation of 1,500 entrants representing more than 50 nationalities.

The participation of more than 1,000 women and girls from across the seven emirates, testifies the event’s popularity among the Emirati community. This also highlights the role that SLC in general manifests, which increase the awareness of Emirati women and girls about the importance of healthy lifestyles, and offering them specialised venues to enjoy a variety of fitness activities.

Her Excellency Ohoud bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing underscored that enhancing Happiness and quality of life requires a focus on achieving balance between physical and intellectual aspects. Sport does achieve this balance, improves health

and enhances social relationships through sharing joyful and happy moments. It also contributes to breaking tension and stress, as well as to enriching quality of life and wellbeing, along with attaining happiness.

Her Excellency thanked Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Muhammad Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA), for Her Highness’s role in empowering Emirati women and supporting activities and events that elevate their quality of life and wellbeing. HE commended the efforts and initiatives of the Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC) that focus on social, cultural, health and sport aspects.

Themed ‘Glow with the Flow!’, the event was held at the Sharjah University City, and included 5-km and a 10-km categories. In the 5-km category, Zarina Fattakhova from Russia, won first place clocking a finish time of 17:33 minutes, Zenewu Welsenbet from Ethiopia, came second, finishing the run in 17:51 minutes, while Mais Al Amasi from Palestine, ranked third as she crossed the finish line at 23:40 minutes.

In the 10-km category, Natalia Sedykh from Russia, won first place clocking a finish time of 39:05minutes, Myriam Lamure from France, came second, finishing the run in 40:04, while Deirdre Casey from Ireland, ranked third as she crossed the finish line at 41:44minutes.

Prizes worth AED 30,000, as well as medals and certificates were presented to the winners, as well as to the event’s sponsosrs: Sharjah Sports Council (SSC), ARADA Company, Sharjah Environment Company (Bee’ah), Amina Hospital, IFFCO and Sirma Water – iGeneral Trading were honoured by Khawla Al Serkal, Director General of SLC

“The fifth edition of the Sharjah Ladies Run has achieved remarkable success, especially because it was able to provide 1,500 women and girls a platform to be physically active and enjoy a healthy competition. In five years, the event has gained immense popularity among its target audience, as it offers them an exclusive participation space and aligns with the nation’s values, encouraging healthy lifestyles in a fun-filled environment,” said Al Serkal.

“This year’s edition has two key characteristics; on the one hand it aligns with the Year of Zayed that celebrates our great Founding Father whose relentless efforts created the basis for the great status women enjoy in all sectors of society. On the other hand, the run brings to focus the importance of supporting and furthering humanitarian initiatives through its cooperation with the Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP). Service to community is one of the values that the late Sheikh Zayed, may he rest in peace, instilled in us, along with his words and deeds which will always be a beacon of light and hope for us to foster and promote humanitarian actions,” she added.

“More than 1,000 Emirati women participated in the event. This is a great accomplishment for SLC, as all our programmes and offerings are based on our belief that vibrant and healthy women are the foundation of a strong society. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who contributed to the success of this event; our sponsors, supporters and participants. I would also like to express heartfelt gratitude to those who have donated their money and hair in support of the ‘Lock of Hope’ initiative launched by FoCP,” she noted.

The SLC has allocated part of the event’s registration fees to FoCP, the Sharjah-based non-profit organisation dedicated to providing financial and moral support to cancer patients and their families in the UAE.

The closing ceremony featured a Zumba party and many other leisure and recreational shows and activities that saw a turnout of participants and spectators.

A subsidiary of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, SLC is dedicated to facilitating leisure and educational activities for women and children. The organisation arranges a program of events and activities throughout the year that relate to society, art, health and charity, including lectures, seminars, workshops, bazaars, exhibitions, sporting events and forums. Designed to be a unique leisure and learning space, SLC boasts an array of world-class facilities and offers numerous high-end services, making it one of the best facilities in the Middle East.