Fitness First Team to Run to Build a School in Sierra Leone

65 Staff Members to Participate in Groups Representing Blocks of the School

Dubai-UAE: 20 January, 2011 – Fitness First, the world’s number one health and fitness club chain and a part of the Landmark Group in the MENA region, today announced more than 65 of their team members will participate in a marathon, marking their initiative to build a school in Sierra Leone and raising awareness on the importance of similar activities and purposes.

Led by Gary Knill, COO, Fitness First Middle East, the team will come together for the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on 21 January and run in groups to represent the blocks of the school.

As an official fitness partner for the Standard Chartered Dubai initiative, Fitness First will provide more than 150 trainers for the marathon, 10km and the 3km Fun Run. The trainers will welcome the runners at a dedicated Fitness First enclosure adjacent to start area at the American University of Dubai, and guide them through a warm-up session before the start of each race. Fitness First’s group exercise team will also conduct a demonstration to boost the runners’ motivation and energy levels at the Fitness First Village. 

Gary Knill said: “Our initiative, marking our official fitness partnership with the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, assures our members and fitness enthusiasts that we not only aim to provide a healthy lifestyle for everyone, but also work towards ‘making the world a fitter place’ through our commitment to social responsibility initiatives. The response from our employees for participating in this initiative is overwhelming and I am confident with their efforts, we will successfully realize our vision of gifting a school to the children of Sierra Leone.”

The Fitness First Village at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will also see Techno Gym displaying the high-end equipment used in all 18 Fitness First clubs across the Middle East, while the ‘official outfitter’ adidas will showcase a line-up of appropriate work-out gear.

Last year, more than 11,000 runners representing 121 nationalities took part in the three races – the marathon, the 10km and the 3km Fun Run. The initiative is expected to draw the participation of more than 14,000 competitors this year, when the marathon gets underway at 7.00am this Friday.

For more details, call 800-FITNESS (3486377) or visit www.fitnessfirst-me.com.