All ready for this year's UAB Race

Everything is prepared for this year's Cursa de la UAB. Several members of the UAB spoke at the presentation of the event, including Manel Sabés, Vice-Rector for Institutional Relations and Environment; Carme Carmona, Mayor of Cerdanyola; Isaac Amela, researcher at the UAB suffering from a neurodegenerative disease; Francesc Cayuela, family member of a person with a neurodegenerative disorder; and Clàudia Dasca, Olympic swimmer and medical student at the UAB. All of them showed their support for this cause and encouraged everyone to participate.

05/12/2013

Given its tradition as a supportive and participative university and its nature as a university campus, the UAB community has devoted itself to this special sports event. It is the first university in Catalonia to organise, in collaboration with the Cerdanyola City Council, this type of race.

Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease are some examples of the neurodegenerative diseases which will be on discussion on 15 December by the TV3 Marathon. That is why the UAB - which includes research teams working on finding cures for these disorders - organised the solidarity race Cursa de la UAB. All money will go towards the TV3 Marathon.

The start and finish line with be at the Vila Universitària, and all those interested can sign up to participate in a 6 km and 10 km race, as well as a 6 km walk. There will also be an Entities Fair set up with associations working with neurodegenerative disorders.

THE CURSA, THREE DIFFERENT ITINERARIES
The 10 kilometre race, included as part of the "Lliga Internet Championchip 2013", will begin at 10:45 am. The 6 kilometre race and walk will begin at 11 am. Both the starting point and finish line will be located at the Vila Universitària square. All participants will receive a T-shirt and gift bag.

The 10 km race will take participants through the UAB campus, cross the motorway and reach the ALBA Synchrotron, where participants will circle around this large science facility. Participants will then cross the gardens of the Sant Marçal Castle, a unique opportunity to visit the inside of this impressive building.
The 6 km race will take participants through the UAB campus, without crossing the motorway.

PARTICIPANTS
At the moment the number of people registered to participate is almost 1,500, with 100 volunteers signed up. In contrast to many races, this one is very equal in terms of gender: 51% are men and 49% are women. 46% of those registered will be participating in the 10 km race and 28% in the 6 km race. 26% of people have signed up for the 6 km walk.

When looked at by cities the percentages are Barcelona (27%), Cerdanyola (14%), Sabadell (9%) and Sant Cugat (8%) of those registered to participate. By age groups, there is a higher percentage of 23 to 34 year-olds (29%), followed by those 22 and under (23%), 35 to 44 years old (22%), 45 to 54 years old (19%) and those 55 and over (7%).

Some one hundred people, coordinated by the Autònoma Solidarity Foundation (FAS), have signed up as volunteers to help in organisation tasks. This includes students, lecturing staff and administration and services staff who will be working in different areas throughout the race, preparing material, offering support to the entities at the fair, etc.

ENTITIES FAIR
Coinciding with the Cursa de la UAB, there will be an Entities Fair with associations working with neurodegenerative diseases and coordinated by the Institute of Neurosciences of the UAB. The fair will offer first-hand information on these types of disorders.

The following associations will be present at the fair:

-Minority Diseases Platform
-Sanfilippo Syndrome (Mucopolysaccharidosis III) Platform
-Catalan Association of Hereditary Ataxia
-Glycogenosis
-4 LOVEprojects.org Association
-Saber Envejecer Association
-CBATEG
-UAB Institute of Neuroscience
-Health &Sport Lab

RESEARCH AT THE UAB.
The research departments and centres at the UAB have spent years researching into these types of diseases. In fact, in one of their latest research projects, the Unit of Biosciences and Molecular Biology, in collaboration with the UAB Institute of Neurosciences, designed an antibody fragment which effectively fights Alzheimer's in mice.

The Institute of Neurosciences, founded in the year 2003, is home to 150 researchers studying key issues of the brain such as neurodegeneration, neurogeneration and the foundations of normal and pathological brains.

The scientists consider it vital to raise the awareness of society and political agents of the need to collaborate and invest in resources for such devastating diseases. Diseases which have a very high social impact and have become one of the most important health problems of this century.

SPONSORS AND COLLABORATORS
The Cursa is sponsored by the Vila Universitària and Coca-Cola. Collaborators include the companies SPM, Geinstal, Solfresh, Heineken, Cemoel, Selmar SA, PMC Grup 1985 SA, Cristaleria La Cruz, Talher, Món Vertical, Heurop, Integral Rey, Arc BCN and Casual Fruit.