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We’re all on the run and having fun

November 14-20, 2018
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Gulf Weekly We’re all on the run and having fun

Gulf Weekly Stan Szecowka
By Stan Szecowka

We’re all on the run and having fun

 

By stan

 

THEY came in all shapes and sizes; fit ones, fat ones, old ones and younger ones representing companies, causes and community groups for the annual gathering of the much-loved Bahrain Marathon Relay (BMR).

The 37th edition of the run, which aims to raise funds for numerous charitable events and societies in Bahrain, was organised by the Bahrain Round Table and Rotaract Bahrain.

More than 3,350 participants in 208 teams made their way to Sakhir to the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) where the first leg runners picked up their baton and lined up for the 10am start.

There was a carnival atmosphere, most competitors wearing their team colours or the pink official relay marathon shirt, although one brave fella insisted on running in his smart business suit, with number attached. Although there were sounds of thunder above the clouds remained well behaved.

The categories were open men & mixed, schools under-18, open women, hotels, schools/college over-18, sports & social clubs, telecommunication/IT, financial institutions, #househarriers (running clubs in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia) and the construction sector.

For the second year running (more like jogging) the Szecowka family, namely me and my 15-year-old son, Stan Jnr, put on the blue shirt of The Mission To Seafarers jersey – a worthy cause for an island inhabitor as the organisation provides help and support to the 1.5 million crewmen and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat.

The Mission works in more than 200 ports, including the one in Bahrain, caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs. Through its global network of chaplains, staff members and volunteers it offers practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers through ship-visits, Flying Angel seafarers’ centres and a range of welfare and emergency support services.

They’ve occasionally made the headlines here helping penniless abandoned sailors whose vessels have been impounded because the vessel owners owe vast sums, or have gone bust.

As I lined up at the start I couldn’t help but remember my first relay marathon two years earlier when I was desperate to lose weight and took up the challenge laid down by our former sales manager, the late Camille Jones, to sign up as guests for the Tekkers Trim team.

I was so determined to try and beat her time that I got bitten by the running bug and have never looked back. I’m sure she’s smiling from above at the monster she created who now actually enjoys a morning jog.

The start was fun. Stan Jnr, who ran the opening leg last year, had warned me that the worst part was running down and then up the entrance into the BIC track but the route had been changed this year so we avoided the steep incline. Thanks guys!

I’m not sure who measured the course but the planned opening 2.6km trek only measured 2.26km on my Runkeeper app … but I’m not complaining.

I had to run back to the car park, pick up the car and collect Stan Jnr who was busy playing in a morning football tournament in Saar for Juventus Academy Bahrain, get him changed, fed and watered and ready in place to pick up the baton for the penultimate Leg 15.

I’d agreed to step in and complete his leg should he injure himself but fortunately, apart from a little bruising and a burn following a reckless slide tackle, he was fit to go.

The police were out in force and I was impressed with the way they managed the traffic and the occasional grumpy motorist wanting to get somewhere quick. There was one steadfast police motorcyclist following a rather large lady who was making a spirited attempt to finish her leg, ensuring she was safe. I’m sure she was capable by the determined look on her face but I was more worried the officer might fall off his even wobblier machine as it was travelling so slowly. He might have been better off pushing it.

We made our way to the finish line after Stan Jnr had passed on the baton for the final time to witness our last man come trudging home to the sounds of Michael Jackson on the speakers and the cheers from supporters.

This year’s fastest teams were Joud, Bapco and Meem Bahrain but everyone who took part picked up a medal and looked proud as punch. There were certainly a lot for the organisers to cheer too. The event is expected to raise BD50,000 this year.

The Bahrain Marathon Relay began 38 years ago as a fun run with only a handful of teams. Today, through the dedication of the organisers – The Bahrain Round Table and Rotaract Bahrain, part of Rotary International – and their valued sponsors, the event has grown to become one of the largest charity sporting events in the kingdom of Bahrain, helping to promote the value of team spirit and a healthy lifestyle across the kingdom.

“We were overwhelmed by the participation and spirit of the crowd that matched a perfect weekend with lovely weather at the BIC,” Rotaract Bahrain treasurer and BMR organising committee member Hishang Kewalram told our sister newspaper, the Gulf Daily News.

“The number of teams over the years has gone up, which speaks of the popularity of the event.”

Over the years, funds raised must be getting on for a million dinars. The event’s success has led to many deserving causes being supported from special Braille computers for the blind to specialised wheelchairs for disabled athletes.

The clubs have also purchased incubators for the neo-natal unit at Salmaniya Medical Complex, countless minibuses for charities and small community endeavours such as paying the printing bills for greetings cards designed by the special needs children at Sneha, run by the Indian Ladies Association, so that they could sell them for much more.

Congratulations and carry on the good work.

 







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