Dubai Holding SkyRun 2016 brings international elite vertical runners to Dubai

Dubai Holding, the global investment holding company, announced today that five international elite runners from Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic and Poland will be participating in the Dubai Holding SkyRun 2016, which is the second race and the third highest race in the Vertical World Circuit this year. 

Dubai Holding SkyRun is a climb of 52 floors; 1,334 steps or 265 metres to the top of Jumeirah Emirates Towers’ office building. In its 14th year, the race was formerly known as the Dubai Holding Vertical Marathon, and will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016. 

Cedric Betis, Chairman of Dubai Holding Wellness Committee, said: “It is encouraging to see Dubai Holding SkyRun’s appeal growing among the global audience with so many international elite athletes coming to Dubai. We have received unprecedented response and are seeing excitement build up amongst many wellness-focussed corporates and the wider community. The organisers and the team at Jumeirah Emirates Towers have hosted the race to an international standard consistently for 14 years, and now look forward to welcoming these athletes.”

He added: “Dubai Holding SkyRun is a key pillar of Dubai Holding Wellness Programme, an award-winning initiative that shares a common vision with Al Jalila Foundation of promoting health and well-being in the UAE. We are proud to support Al Jalila Foundation’s obesity research in the UAE. All funds raised during the Dubai Holding SkyRun are donated to the Foundation, making a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the wider community for the long run.”

Sulaiman Baharoun, Senior Fundraising Manager, Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Dubai Holding is a committed partner of Al Jalila Foundation, contributing extensively to our Obesity Research Fund. Over the last few years, Dubai Holding SkyRun has contributed AED 615,000, which has been instrumental in enhancing our research capabilities. Al Jalila Foundation has invested more than AED 780,000 to address the prevalence of obesity as a tier one epidemic in the region. Dubai Holding continues to lead by example through contributing funds to our research, as well as hosting regular wellness activities which are critical to the overall well-being of our nation.” 

Marino Giacometti, President, International Sky Running Federation, commented: “The decision to include Dubai in the circuit has been widely welcomed; the star runners are as excited as we are to be coming to Dubai. It’s a city that has seen a massive growth in the number of skyscrapers in just the last few years and where the skyrunning concept is already quite popular. With the Dubai Holding SkyRun we saw the right opportunity – a solid track record of 14 years and the standards and level of execution that align very well with ours.”

Dubai Holding and International Skyrunning Federation formalised a partnership to include Jumeirah Emirates Towers into a circuit of iconic towers in famous cities that host vertical runs each year. Eight races, stretching from London to Hong Kong, form the annual, year-round Vertical World Circuit (“VWC”) established in 2009. The VWC 2016 kicked off in London in March before moving along to Dubai, and will continue onwards to Paris, Manila, Sydney, Beijing, Shanghai to conclude with the Grand Finale in Hong Kong. 

An official race of Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Holding SkyRun is sponsored by Dubai Holding in aid of Al Jalila Foundation. Talise Fitness, part of Dubai Holding’s hospitality arm Jumeirah Group, has been organising the race annually for over a decade, in partnership with Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

Dubai Holding SkyRun’s silver sponsors are Technogym, ITL Cosmos Group; media partners are Dubai Eye 103.8 and Physique TV and is also supported by Coco Pro, Costa, Dubai Bone and Joint Center, du, MonViso, noviplus, OutdoorUAE, Reebok and Spinneys.

Beyond being a fitness platform, the Dubai Holding SkyRun offers companies the opportunity to encourage physical wellbeing and team building amongst their employees. Dubai Holding invests in such physically challenging events as part of its commitment to fitness and health, ensuring the continuous development and support to its Wellness Program, which will complete its 10th year in 2017.