Two expats in UAE run for 48 hours for sick kids

Dubai - Dr Haitham Solh and Ahmed Ali started running and jogging for four miles, every four hours — and they would keep doing it until they complete 48 hours.

Two runners in Dubai have taken up a 48-hour fitness challenge — not only to push their limits, but to raise funds for sick children whose families cannot afford their medical treatments.

Lebanese expat Dr Haitham Solh and UK national Ahmed Ali on Thursday started running and jogging for four miles, every four hours — and they would keep doing it until they complete 48 hours. The challenge­, which they called 4X4X48, is expected to end this morning.

The feat was similar to one undertaken by American athlete and motivational speaker David Goggins last year. “Goggins is a truly inspirational figure who changed his life through fitness and keeps doing an array of fitness activities to keep himself and his followers fit and motivated to handle challenges of life. It was his challenge that motivated us,” Dr Solh said.

“Since we also wanted to bring in the charity aspect along with fitness, we partnered with Al Jalila Foundation to raise funds for it’s Farah programme, which funds life-saving treatments for children suffering from heart disease, cancer and other chronic illnesses.”

The duo are aiming to raise Dh5,000 for the charity and said they had reached 70 per cent of their target by the end of day one of their run.

saman@khaleejtimes.com