AL AIN // Dan Tonner and his wife, Carolyn, spent months promoting and preparing for Friday's Terry Fox Run in Al Ain. They distributed DVDs telling the story of Fox, who lost a leg to bone cancer at 19, attempted an 8,000km marathon across Canada on an artificial leg, and died, aged 22, before he could finish. One day, the Tonners took Fox's story to Al Ain English Speaking School.
Nicholas Evans, 13, a pupil at the school, told his parents about the run and wanted to take part. His mother, Joanne, had run the same event in Taiwan. "I thought it would be a good family event and a chance to get some exercise," said Nicholas's father, Jeff. Nicholas was the first in his family to cross the finish line of the 5.1km loop, riding his bicycle. He was followed by his brother, James, eight, sister, Lucy Bethan, four, and their parents.
Proceeds from the Al Ain run will go to UAE University and Tawam Hospital. Terry Fox runs are held worldwide. All the money raised by runners in the UAE stays in this country. Besides the Al Ain event, which attracted 100 people, Terry Fox runs have also been held this year in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras al Khaimah. @Email:ealghalib@thenational.ae
