Early morning on May 19, around 400 enthusiastic young runners aged 7-14 participated in the YourPace Kids’ Trail Pakistan Race held at Fatima Jinnah F-9 Park in Islamabad.
The race featured 1km, 3km, and 5km distances, allowing children to showcase their running abilities in a supportive and inclusive environment. The event was a resounding success, with young participants beaming with pride and accomplishment.
“In today’s world, initiatives like YourPace are essential in guiding young kids towards a healthy lifestyle to improve their physical fitness and enhance mental growth.” stated the head of sports at Your Pace, Anna Fedorchuk.
“This is my first visit to Pakistan, and I am deeply impressed by the people I’ve met. I thank Margalla Trail Runners for their energy in organizing training programs and runs for children from five Islamabad schools, and the school administrations for their support. The children’s happy faces speak volumes about the project’s impact. They received well-deserved medals, the gratitude expressed confirms our program’s success.”
Participating schools
Over the past eight weeks, experienced athletes conducted training sessions at selected schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including Bebud School (SaidPur, Islamabad), Maryam Foundation School (Bani Gala, Islamabad), Ghosha-e-Mashaal (Margalla Town, Islamabad), and The Qalam School (Rawalpindi).
The program introduced students to running basics and emphasized gender equality and unity among participants.
Javed Ali, founder of MTR, highlighted the eight-week training program offered to children from various schools in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Conducted by experienced athletes, the program promotes gender equality and unity among participants.
Encouraging running culture among kids
The event, designed to promote a running culture among children in Pakistan, was attended by their teachers and families and organized by InDrive and Margalla Trail Runners (MTR).
YourPace by inDrive, a non-profit project supporting global running initiatives, held its first event in Pakistan. The initiative, previously conducted in countries like Egypt, Morocco, Peru, Nepal, Chile, and Brazil, aims to create a discrimination-free environment by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds.
The YourPace Kid’s Trail Pakistan project has set a remarkable precedent, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in nurturing a healthy and inclusive community. Promoting such initiatives on a broader scale is crucial for paving the way for a brighter future for Pakistan.
Margalla Trail Runners (MTR), the organizing club, worked in collaboration with inDrive to conduct the YourPace project. MTR is Islamabad’s first community-based trail running club, run voluntarily by a few running enthusiasts. MTR Club members regularly organize weekly events on various trails in the Margalla Hills, Galiyat Trails, and other terrains in Pakistan.
Masha Allah it was a great day for kids in this kind of healthy activity. Weather was not good but kids’ passion and spirit was on peak. My both kids participated in this event and their coach Eric Joseph is doing very hard work and giving best training them in 4 days in a week. My son Syed Muhammad Saarim 10 years bib # 902-F and my daughter Reshyle 12 years bib # 907-F very happy with their coach. MTR has taken a very good step towards the training of young kids.