Run for a Reason

More than 4,000 runners and donors gathered at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium as the much-anticipated Standard Chartered (SCB) Brunei Half Marathon finally took place yesterday.

The event received a royal support when Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pg Anak Isteri Pg Anak Sarah, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen, Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bulqiah participated in the marathon.

Joining the crowd for the goodwill run were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Hj Ali Hj Apong, permanent secretaries at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the President of the Brunei Athletics Association.

The marathon, bearing the theme “Run for a Reason”, featured four categories namely 21km, 10km, 5km and 2.5km. The 21km category was further split into an Open and Brunei category.

“Run for a reason, that’s what we’ve called this race. We believe that everyone has a reason to run whatever yours is, either for health reasons, to raise funds for charity or accomplish a goal over 4,000 of us have all come together today to run,” said Lai Pei Si, the bank’s CEO in her speech. “It also an opportunity to promote health and wellness in our community. This is in line with His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s New Year titah where His Majesty emphasised on the importance of taking good care of one’s health,” the CEO added.