Anwar Matar, a 39-year-old Dubai resident originally from Egypt, celebrates with the trophy after winning the Wings for Life World Run.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Expo City Dubai witnessed a remarkable achievement on Sunday as Anwar Matar, a 39-year-old Dubai resident originally from Egypt, won the Wings for Life World Run in the UAE.

Matar ran an impressive 37km before being caught by the virtual Catcher Car, a significant improvement from the 12km he ran during the 2022 edition.

The overall winner of the global event was from Japan, achieving an incredible 69km. Worldwide 200,000 people ran in what is the world’s biggest running event raising more than Dhs20 million for spinal cord injury research.

UAE winner Anwar only began running competitively ahead of the 2022 Wings for Life World Run, which marked his first-ever participation in a running event. Since then, he has dedicated himself to regular training, and his incredible progress is a testament to his determination and hard work.

Speaking after the race Anwar Matar said, “You have to work hard and be patient. I was aiming for 30k today and I was close to giving up but suddenly I felt good and didn’t want to stop. I’m really happy and it’s so important for me that I did it at Wings for Life World Life which is an event with real purpose. My running team is called Run 4 A Purpose so that’s what we are all about!”

The Wings for Life World Run, supported by Oakley, united participants from various backgrounds in support of spinal cord injury research. The event's unique format allowed runners of all abilities to compete and contribute to the cause.

The event has generated significant funds for the Wings for Life Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. Over 900,000 participants from almost every nation have taken part in the Wings for Life World Run since its inception in 2014, raising more than Dhs140 million for groundbreaking research projects.