{"id":17435,"date":"2026-04-02T16:29:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/?p=17435"},"modified":"2026-04-02T16:29:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T12:29:20","slug":"backwards-dubai-abu-dhabi-to-support-girl-battling-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/en\/community\/backwards-dubai-abu-dhabi-to-support-girl-battling-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"This Man Ran Backwards From Dubai To Abu Dhabi To Support A Little Girl Battling A Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Another unsung hero comes to light in the UAE!<\/p>\n<h2 data-pm-slice=\"0 0 []\">J, an ultra runner, has completed a remarkable 150 km run from Dubai to Abu Dhabi&#8230; entirely backwards<\/h2>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"0 0 []\">The run began on March 31 at 6AM. It was undertaken to raise awareness and support for children battling cytomegalovirus (CMV).<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"0 0 []\"><a href=\"https:\/\/magic.beehiiv.com\/v1\/bf788faa-08f0-460c-83fa-5f5b338bda2c?email={{email}}\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><em>Subscribe to the Lovin Abu Dhabi newsletter<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWhYIlVjs4X\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"flex-direction: row;align-items: center\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center;white-space: nowrap\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWhYIlVjs4X\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">A post shared by J (@mrfucketlist)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>J faced multiple challenges<\/h2>\n<p>He had minimal preparation and extreme weather warnings. The physical strain of running in reverse added another layer of difficulty. Despite this, he successfully reached Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n<p>J said he found walking backwards surprisingly manageable, while moving forward was much harder.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ NEXT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/en\/news\/uae-reaffirms-support-for-iranians\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The UAE Reaffirms Support For Iranian Community As Part Of Its Diverse Society<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWoK4zuFrwC\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"flex-direction: row;align-items: center\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center;white-space: nowrap\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWoK4zuFrwC\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">A post shared by \u0644\u0648\u06a4\u0646 \u0627\u0654\u0628\u0648\u0638\u0628\u064a | Lovin Abu Dhabi (@lovinabudhabi)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>It was all for Jete<\/h2>\n<p>The run was inspired by the story of Jete, a young girl living with CMV. The fundraiser for Jete was started by the travel couple @fucketlistcouple. They are currently undertaking a 3,500 km backwards journey across Europe, from Estonia to Italy.<\/p>\n<p>Their goal is to raise awareness about CMV and support Jete\u2019s medical care.<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"0 0 []\">J\u2019s decision to run backwards was motivated by both the personal challenge and the desire to support a meaningful cause. It shows that even seemingly impossible goals can be achieved with determination and purpose!<\/p>\n<h2>Listen to the Lovin Abu Dhabi Show: The UAE And US Presidents Hold Phone Call On Regional Developments<\/h2>\n<p><iframe title=\"The Lovin Abu Dhabi Show: The UAE And US Presidents Hold Phone Call On Regional Developments\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vtpVzEtkw_w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<article id=\"post-17429\" class=\"article-single post-17429 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-iran-attacks category-news tag-trending\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17425\" class=\"article-single post-17425 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-iran-attacks category-news tag-iran tag-trending tag-trump tag-us\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17419\" class=\"article-single post-17419 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-billie-eilish tag-trending\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17406\" class=\"article-single post-17406 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-abu-dhabi tag-paid-parking\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17407\" class=\"article-single post-17407 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-petrol tag-petrol-prices\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<div id=\"title\" class=\"style-scope ytd-watch-metadata\">\n<article id=\"post-17392\" class=\"article-single post-17392 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-abu-dhabi\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17378\" class=\"article-single post-17378 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-iran tag-uae\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17345\" class=\"article-single post-17345 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-abu-dhabi\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17327\" class=\"article-single post-17327 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-abu-dhabi tag-iran\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17262\" class=\"article-single post-17262 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-abu-dhabi tag-iran\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17204\" class=\"article-single post-17204 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-scam\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17201\" class=\"article-single post-17201 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-iran tag-uae\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17164\" class=\"article-single post-17164 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-eid tag-ramadan\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17147\" class=\"article-single post-17147 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-etihad tag-uae\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17129\" class=\"article-single post-17129 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-abu-dhabi tag-overstay-fines tag-uae\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17126\" class=\"article-single post-17126 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-abu-dhabi tag-auh\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17118\" class=\"article-single post-17118 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-iranian-attack tag-uae\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-17099\" class=\"article-single post-17099 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-abu-dhabi tag-etihad-rail\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<article id=\"post-16888\" class=\"article-single post-16888 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-crescent-moon tag-ramadan tag-shaaban-1447-ah\">\n<div class=\"article-single-content\">\n<div class=\"article-single-main-content\">\n<p><strong>Get the latest Abu Dhabi news direct to your phone RN! Download The Lovin app for free RIGHT HERE. Get the latest trending stories to your phone on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/ae\/app\/lovin-augustus-media\/id1529508280\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">App Store<\/a>\u00a0&amp;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=co.lovin.lovinapp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Play Store<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"posts_paragraph_inserted\"><strong>Follow Lovin Abu Dhabi on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/showcase\/lovin-abu-dhabi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">LinkedIn<\/a> for the latest news, events and updates around the city. Stay connected and join the conversation!<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Another unsung hero comes to light in the UAE! J, an ultra runner, has completed a remarkable 150 km run from Dubai to Abu Dhabi&#8230; entirely backwards The run began on March 31 at 6AM. It was undertaken to raise awareness and support for children battling cytomegalovirus (CMV). Subscribe to the Lovin Abu Dhabi newsletter &hellip; ","protected":false},"author":4429,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[1256],"class_list":["post-17435","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-community","tag-trending"],"acf":{"hide_featured_image":false,"featured_image":{"ID":17439,"id":17439,"title":"Copy of Lovin Dubai Featured Image Template (40)","filename":"Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40.png","filesize":774471,"url":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40.png","link":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/en\/community\/backwards-dubai-abu-dhabi-to-support-girl-battling-disease\/attachment\/copy-of-lovin-dubai-featured-image-template-40\/","alt":"","author":"4429","description":"","caption":"","name":"copy-of-lovin-dubai-featured-image-template-40","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":17435,"date":"2026-04-02 12:13:06","modified":"2026-04-02 12:13:06","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1200,"height":630,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40-250x131.png","medium-width":250,"medium-height":131,"medium_large":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40-768x403.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":403,"large":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40-700x368.png","large-width":700,"large-height":368,"1536x1536":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40.png","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":630,"2048x2048":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40.png","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":630,"small":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40-120x63.png","small-width":120,"small-height":63,"custom-size":"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-Lovin-Dubai-Featured-Image-Template-40-700x200.png","custom-size-width":700,"custom-size-height":200}},"featured_image_caption":"","shorten_deep_link":"","summary":"","flexible_content":false,"legacy_image":"","legacy_full_image":"","type_of_video":"Self Hosted","lovin_video_link":false,"lovin_video_link_webm":false,"video_thumbnail":false,"disable_lovin_hearts":false,"lovin_heart_title":"","show_sponsor":false,"sponsor_image":false,"sponsor_name":"","sponsor_content":"","sponsor_website":"","sponsor_facebook":"","sponsor_twitter":"","sponsor_instagram":"","enable_reveal_feature":false,"reveal_image":false,"featured_for_app":false,"legacy_meta_tags":"","is_guest_user":false,"episode_number":"","embed_code":"","episode_introduction":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17435","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4429"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17435"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17435\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17435"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17435"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lovin.co\/abudhabi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17435"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}