Sharjah’s Friends of Arthritis Patients Association(FAP), operating under the guidance of the Supreme Council of Family Affairs, has announced that its fifth annual marathon will take place on January 21st. 
Dubbed ‘The Future in Your Hands’, the marathon aims at raising awareness of the multiple types of arthritis, their symptoms and methods of treatment, as well as the challenges that arthritis patients face and ways of supporting them morally and financially.
Concluding a series of events and activities launched by FAP across the emirate in 2016 in support of arthritis patients, the marathonis in collaboration with Sharjah Police, and the Sharjah Sports Council.
From disabled people to first-time runners, this year’s marathon will see an array of people participating with enthusiasm, as it’s divided into 4 different stages, each targeting a specific age group. 
While the first stage is devoted to children aged 3 – 10 years, who will run for 2 kilometers, the second stage will see adolescents aged 11 – 17 running for 5 kilometers, whereas the third stage, designed for adults aged 18 – 50 years, will span over 8 kilometers. 
The organizing committee has also dedicated a special stage for senior citizens, who will compete in a 1-kilometer walkathon.
The marathon kicks off at 4:00pm, criss-crossingvarious areas of the city, starting withAl Mamzarand finishing atAl Ibreeq Roundabout. Winners will be awarded with several prizes presented by the Supreme Council of Family Affairs in Sharjah.

Waheeda Abdul Aziz, Head of FAP, thanked Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family affairs, for her unwavering support for FAP and her auspicious patronage of the Association’syear-round activities.

Abdul Aziz described the marathon asan ideal opportunity for volunteer work, and expected a huge turnout exceeding 5,000 participants. 
“The Future in Your Hands marathon is one of our philanthropic community events which we continually organize in support of arthritis patients to shed light on the disease’s different psychological, economic and social impacts,’ she added.
In support of arthritis patients, FAP launched four marathons over the past few years, with the first one organized in 2009 under the theme ‘Movement Is Life.’ A total of more than 8000 supporters of the cause have participated.