Members of the Presidents Award Holders Association (PAHA) took part in this year’s President’s Fun Run for Charity. While some are seasoned runners, for others like me, it was the first experience of this sort. Having never run this distance at one go before, I was apprehensive as to whether I would be able to complete this challenge. However, the energy buzzing in the atmosphere around the athletes at San Anton Gardens quickly set me at ease.
Some PAHA members had met other fellow athletes earlier in the morning in Valletta as they had decided to run towards San Anton Gardens from there and then back with the rest, thus effectively completing the route twice.
We queued up together waiting for the running to start and with the loud bang of a gun we
were off. After the initial hustle and bustle, we made our way to Birkirkara and along the route encouraged by the cheers of onlookers and every so often helped along by the loud sounds of a marching band.
As we gradually approached Valletta, our pace slowed to a walk as runners and walkers once again formed a dense crowd and swept through the city eventually reaching the finish line in front of the Grandmaster’s Palace.
It was an incredible experience watching people from all walks of society and with all conceivable levels of physical ability taking part in one activity together for a common cause. I am already looking forward to next year’s edition of this activity and encourage anyone who can take part to do so.
Article by Marica Grech, Gold Award Holder
