Fifty-four amateur runners took part yesterday in the third edition of the 'Hilton Baynunah Challenge 2003' to raise funds for children with special needs.
The event was organised by Abu Dhabi Striders, in association with Hilton Baynunah Tower and was held at Hilton Baynunah Tower.
The event included two different challenges, the team relay and the super challenge.
In the team relay, two members of a team had to go up to the 31st floor of the tower and then back down for a total of 1,594 steps.
In the super challenge an individual participant had to go twice up and down the 31 floors of the Baynunah Tower completing 3,188 steps.
Jean Luc Praf won the super challenge in 17 minutes and 41 seconds in the male category, while Karen Betton won in 20 minutes and 36 seconds in the female category.
The 'Tragically Fit' team won the team relay in 19 minutes and 26 seconds. About 20 runners took part in the super challenge, with the youngest runner aged only seven. Little Elisia Fernandez completed the competition in 45 minutes.
Seventeen teams took part in the team relay.
Individuals started their attempt every one minute at the entrance of the Baynunah car park using the stairs up to the last floor. On the top they enjoyed the drink station with a scenic view before coming down to the ground floor using the second staircase.
Those who were running in the team relay, handed over to the team partner who had to run the same circuit. Participants in the super challenge had to run again up to the top repeating the circuit.
The first, second and third placing in both competitions won trophies. All the revenues collected through the registration fees was donated to Future Centre, a centre for children with special needs based in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi Striders is a runners' club that organises long distance races and sport events, often supporting humanitarian causes or charitable foundations. "We thank our sponsors for their help and support," said one of the organisers.
The sponsors were Ali and Sons Co. Audi, Fast Rent a Car, Isostar, Tamara Beauty Salon and Al Noor Hospital.
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