Cancer Run™ 2026 successfully concludes Dubai edition with 4,500+attendees

GCC

Cancer Run™ 2026 successfully concludes Dubai edition with 4,500+attendees

News 2 months ago

Dubai, February 09, 2026 : Cancer Run™ presented by Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and organised by Plan b Group has successfully concluded the Dubai edition at Dubai Festival City on February 7, 2026. Supported by Dubai Sports Council, the event welcomed more than 4,500 plus attendees, including cancer warriors, runners, families, communities, cultures, and health advocates from across the country who embodied a united spirit in support of a cancer-conscious society.

Following the historic Abu Dhabi edition at Hudayriyat Island where Cancer Run™ 2026 earned the Guinness World Records™ title for Most Nationalities in a Cancer Awareness Run event, the Dubai run ended on a solid note, advocating the importance of raising awareness, urging routine check-ups, and adopting an active lifestyle as measures for cancer prevention. The event’s vision clearly aligns with the nation’s broader goal of establishing a healthier society.

Ms Fouzeya Faridoon, Head of Community Events Section, Dubai Sports Council, said, “Cancer Run™ 2026 has carved a niche for itself as a truly unique health campaign by blending fitness, fun, and awareness in Dubai. We are proud to support the spirit of Cancer Run™ and be a part of a movement that brings the city together, spreads awareness, and prompts active living.”

Cancer is one of the most prevalent illnesses in the UAE and the third leading cause of death. According to The UAE National Cancer Registry, cancer accounts for 12.4 percent of mortality in the country. As per latest findings, breast cancer was one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in 2021, accounting for an average of 9.64 percent of cancer deaths per year. By 2040, the country is expected to see an alarming increase of 230 percent in cancer cases, the highest after Qatar among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The age-inclusive event featured 1km, 3km, 5km, and 10km categories, convening an energetic community of children, families, cancer survivors, fitness enthusiasts, professional athletes, and health groups.

The run commenced with the UAE National Anthem performed by Joseph Terterian followed by a warm-up session facilitated by Fitness First coaches. At dawn, Dubai Festival City lit up in purple as runners ran to the beat of live drumming while the Dubai Athletics Cheer squad delivered an electric performance that brought the vibrancy of the event to life. In addition, family-centric entertainment activities like mascots, balloon artists, and a bubble show kept both children and adults engaged.

Dr. Harmeek Singh, Founder and Chairman of Plan b Group, said, “After achieving the Guinness World Records™ title for Most Nationalities in a Run in Abu Dhabi last week, we returned with greater enthusiasm for the Dubai edition. We are proud to host participants coming from different nationalities and age-groups as well as inspiring cancer warriors. They are the heart of this event, and their spirited presence made the Dubai edition even more memorable.”

Jacqueline Connolly, Chief Asset Management Officer at Al-Futtaim, said, “We are proud to host Cancer Run™ 2026 at Dubai Festival City during the Year of Family, supporting an initiative that brings people together in the spirit of health, wellbeing, and awareness. At Al-Futtaim, we remain committed to championing community-led events that encourage active lifestyles, strengthen family connections, and create positive, lasting impact across the city.”

Support from Skechers, Fitness First, La Roche Posay, Masafi, Al Jazira Sports and Cultural Club Dubai Ambulance, Pocari Sweat, enriched the event with attractive pop-ups and activities for attendees to explore and enjoy. Furthermore, Garmin & Amit Care Services, Enoc, Tangerine Entertainment, Value Vault, Kibsons, Numu, Coffee Planet, House Of Pops, and Lemonade were integral in making Cancer Run™ 2026 memorable and impactful.

Event partners offered invaluable support in transforming the run into a monumental success. Venue partner Dubai Festival City ensured a seamless experience for the participants and attendees by creating a vibrant atmosphere flanked by sufficient facilities. Media partners Khaleej Times, Lovin Dubai, and That Dubai Page, generated buzz throughout the nation, emphasising the event’s social impact while also boosting participation.

Ms Reem Al Nuwais, the Head of Commercial Dept at the Al Jazira Sports and Cultural Club, said, “It’s inspiring to see runners from all backgrounds come together in solidarity against a life-threatening disease. The success of Cancer Run™ 2026 reflects the strength and spirit of our community, and we’re proud to be part of an initiative that brings people together for such an important cause. At Al Jazira Club, supporting community-driven initiatives like this is central to our role, and we remain committed to using sport as a platform to create positive impact beyond the field.”

Social and athletic groups were instrumental in leading the campaign. Friend of Cancer Patients, Brest Friends, British Mums, Dubai Creek Striders, Ultimate Athletics, Active Fitness Community, Expats in Dubai, United Triathletes, 3F Striders, Kenyan Runners, and Girl Sports Group were among the participating cancer support groups and communities who added to the event’s diverse athlete diaspora.

Dr Houreya Kazim, Founder and President of Brest Friends, said, “With around 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer deaths globally, events like the Cancer Run™ 2026play a crucial role in raising awareness of this important disease. As someone who has seen the impact of cancer first hand, it’s clear that cancer affects not only patients but also their families, friends, and colleagues so it’s inspiring to see our community come together to highlight the importance of being proactive about our health. In addition, research consistently indicates that exercise lowers the risk of many cancers and reduces the likelihood of recurrence for those who have already battled the disease. For all these reasons, I wholeheartedly support Cancer Run 2026. Together we can make a difference!”

Both editions of Cancer Run™ 2026 have solidified themselves as precursors of larger and more engaging awareness programmes in the future. The organisers have expressed their determination to return in 2027, anticipating a higher participation rate with more inclusive communal activities that promote cancer prevention through timely screenings, early awareness, and active living.

One Broker Group’s Dh29 billion sales orderbook puts it in pole position as real estate market continues to grow fast

News 2 months ago

Dubai , February 9,2026: The current sales orderbook of One Broker Group, a Dubai-based exclusive real estate advisory, has exceeded Dh29 billion across 16 projects, including 12 real estate and 4 hospitality projects with a development value of Dh20 billion. This put the company in pole position in the UAE’s high-growth real estate market.

It has also acquired a sizeable chunk in the hospitality real estate market where it is currently marketing four branded luxury hospitality projects with a combined development value reaching Dh9 billion in the UAE. One Broker Group is working with some prestigious global hospitality brands such as JW Marriott, W Hotels, DoubleTree by Hilton and The Luxury Collection – in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.

One Broker Group’s success in marketing, sales and promotion of its client’s properties reflects the growth and success of the overall real estate sector in the UAE – especially in Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai – where the total sales volume of land and property transaction volume recorded 18.7 percent growth to 215,741 and transaction value jumped 30.9 percent to Dh686.8 billion (US$187.13 billion) in 2025, according to Dubai Land Department data.

Of these, the sale of 170,453 apartments fetched Dh333 billion, recording a 19.9 percent growth while sale of 34,671 villas raised Dh206.9 billion, registering 11 percent growth. The sale of 6,086 commercial properties fetch Dh18.2 billion, recording a 41.4 percent jump, while the sale of 4,466 plots of land raised Dh128.5 billion last year.

One Broker Group is a Dubai-based real estate advisory that helps property developers market and sell their properties – so that the developer can sharpen focus on building construction and delivery of the project while One Broker Group sells out the project as its exclusive agent.

Led by the Master of Real Estate Umar bin Farooq, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of One Broker Group, the company has perfected the art of exclusive sales and marketing advisory by successfully completing the sale of 40 residential projects to thousands of satisfied customers and helped increase their income, wealth, not to mention capital gains, over the last 12 years – since its inception in 2013.

“One of the biggest problems faced by property developers is selling out the project and collectingpayment on time so that the project’s construction and delivery could go as per schedule. Well, we solve this problem – as the developer’s exclusive sales and marketing partner. We offer end-to-end sales and marketing solution, including product positioning, pricing, payment schemes, etc, so that the property developer and owners can focus on construction and project delivery,” Umar bin Farooq, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of One Broker Group, says.

“As a partner, we get involved in the projects at a very early stage – concept and design stage – and help position the project and develop a strategy to market and sell it out and start collecting payments for the developer – so that they can carry on with the construction. This working model works very well for all the stakeholders.”

Umar bin Farooq has led the real estate industry in developing exclusivity in real estate projects as a Master of Real Estate over the last two decades – that is becoming a popular trend in the real estate sector.

“For developers, it eliminates any tension on sale – or lack of it – as we take care of it, fully. So, the developer doesn’t have to hire a sales and marketing team. We become their partner and interface in the market. For us, it works as we remain the only sales agent – with no other competition — and rally our resources in the market to sell out the properties,” he says.

“This works for all the stakeholders – including the buyers and investors – who rely on us on their investment and home-buying advice. We help them multiply their income and wealth from real estate. This is why we deal with limited projects and divert our complete focus on each of these projects. This is why, developers prefer us – to deal with one advisory for sales operation.”

He says, developers are increasingly relying on exclusivity in sales and marketing – which sometimes could become very tricky. Appointing an exclusive sales and marketing partner eliminates the cost of sale and marketing and therefore reduces the cost of development, cashflow-related challenges as well as operational problems.

“With our sales and marketing strategy, we ensure faster sales and uninterrupted cashflow which helps the developer to pay the contractor, sub-contractors, building materials suppliers, etc.,” he says. “We ensure the smooth execution of the project, as we pull the revenue that funds the projects.”

The success of the UAE’s real estate sector is linked to the efficiency of the real estate brokers and advisory firms – who make things happen by attracting buyers and investors into the UAE – and help sell out the projects. In fact they are the real change makers in the industry. They are the industry’s real unsung hero, who plough billions of foreign currency into the industry and bankroll the projects to completion.

In the first half of 2025, Dubai real estate brokers generated over Dh3.23 billion (US$880 million) in commission income, nearly doubling the Dh1.62 billion earned during the same period in 2024. This record-breaking surge was driven by 42,181 transactions, with the total number of registered brokers rising to 32,978, according to Dubai Land Department.

As of the first half of 2025, there are over 29,500 registered real estate brokers in Dubai, including 6,714 new entrants, highlighting a rapidly growing, highly competitive, and increasingly professional market. These brokers are supported by 1,223 registered brokerage offices, facilitating over 42,000 transactions in H1 2025 alone.

One Broker Group is one of the most successful brokerage firms that now advise developers on real estate project development, product positioning, image building, market advisory, marketing, sales and overall development strategy.

Thousands Walked in Dubai for a Greener Tomorrow ; Record Participation at Lulu Walkathon 2026

News 2 months ago

Indian former cricketer and film actor S. Sreesanth flagged off the event; over 36,000 joined at Mamzar Park

Dubai, February 9 ,2026 : Mamzar Park turned into a sea of purple as thousands of residents came together for the LuLu Walkathon 2026, walking together for health, fitness and sustainability. Held under the theme “Walk for Green,” the event recorded a turnout of over 36,000 participants from 128 nationalities, highlighting Dubai’s strong community spirit and shared commitment to a healthier lifestyle and a greener future.

This year marked the 14th consecutive edition of the event, which was organised in collaboration with various government entities and partners and powered by Mastercard.

The event was officially flagged off at 9 a.m. by Indian former cricketer, film actor and dancer S. Sreesanth, along with popular social media influencers and sports personalities. Participants completed a three-kilometre walk, pledging their support for fitness, sustainability and collective well-being.

Addressing the gathering, S. Sreesanth praised the strong community participation and the growing awareness around health and fitness in the UAE.

Speaking at the event, Salim M.A., Global Operations Director of Lulu, said: “The strong participation at LuLu Walkathon 2026 reflects the growing emphasis on health, fitness and community well-being in the UAE. At LuLu, we continue to support initiatives that encourage active lifestyles and align with the nation’s vision for a healthier and more sustainable future.”

“The Lulu Walkathon reflects our commitment to supporting the UAE’s vision for a healthy, active and sustainable society. It brings together people from diverse nationalities, encouraging fitness, community bonding and a shared responsibility towards well-being and sustainability’’ said V Nandakumar, Director of Marketing and Communications.

In addition to the walk, the event featured a range of activities including Zumba, aerobics, yoga, dance sessions and children’s games, creating a festive and inclusive atmosphere for families and participants of all ages. Participation was free, with registered walkers receiving complimentary T-shirts and hampers. Refreshment kiosks and interactive zones were set up across the venue.

Also present on the occasion were Omoke Adebanjo
Senior Vice President, Retail & Commerce, Mastercard, EEMEA; Saifee Rupawala, CEO of Lulu; Salim V.I, Chief Operating and Strategy Officer of Lulu; Shabu Abdul Majeed, Director of Lulu Global Operations and others.