More than 10,000 people, including handicapped children, participated in Eastern Province 13th Annual Charity Run held at the Al-Khobar Corniche last weekend to raise funds for the benefit of obese children. The fun run is a yearly event organized by the Saudi Diabetic Association, which launched a year-round program to help overweight and obese children. Organizers were encouraged by the high turnout of participants. “This is the biggest so far. Some 8,000 registered to take part in the run, but we did not expect more than 10,000 people. It was a fantastic and successful event,” said Fayez Habib Marcos, coordinator of the fun run. The first part of the run had 50 physically handicapped children, including several in wheelchairs, participate a five-kilometer run. The second had another five-kilometer stretch followed by a 10-kilometer run participated by all. Five winners were declared in the handicapped children category. Winners received SR2,000 each. The winners were Mohsen Al-Ismael, Ali Ahmad El-Ghemayah, Abdulrahman Al-Kharne, Faris Adawi, and Oman Khasoum. In the general categories, five winners were also named: Waleed Ibrahim Mohammed, Ibrahim Amen Al-Hashim, Hassan Maki Al-Abbas, Hussain Nadar Al-Khamis, and Ghassen Ras Al-Hamoud. Their prizes consisted of SR1,000 each. The youngest participant was six-year-old Khalid, while the oldest was over 60 years old. “I am over 60 years now; and due to my regular exercise, I feel very healthy and I wish to promote a healthy lifestyle for young people. This fun run is the best way to tell youngsters to exercise and keep fit,” Nasser said. More than 100 motorcycle riders joined the runners. Tariq, a young Egyptian said he enjoys the challenge. “In addition to the health benefits, the race makes me feel good because it is a challenge not only to my stamina, but also to my discipline.” David, from UK, is taking part in the run for the third time. “Everyone should keep their body fit, and running is the best exercise so far, like in this event which is aimed to raise money for charity.” He said he has participated in similar races in Jeddah organized by the Jeddah Road Run club. The Saudi runners were the largest crowd. “I started joining this charity run from the beginning and this is my thirteenth year,” said Mohammed Shaflood proudly, an employee of Saudi Aramco. “This is the best to keep and is also fulfilling your support because the money will go to charity,” he said. “Running is a cheap form of exercise, all you need is a good pair of running shoes” said Abdul Rahman, 23-year-old Saudi who participated in the 10-kilometer race. “It's for charity and I am for it,” he said, adding that running for charity gives one a feeling of team spirit and belonging to the community. To participate in this charity run, participants had paid a SR50 registration fee. Other sponsors of the fun run were Saudi Aramco, Dammam Municipality, Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabian Boys Scout Association, Saudi TV, and several educational institutions in the region. __
