By Peter Zeter
KIMANIS – Responding to the unexpected participations from last year’s run, the organizing committee for the Nuhu Dolorosa De Kamijan Charity Trail Run Second Edition had improvised the variety of the category.
Replacing the last year’s categories, which were 5km and 10km categories, the organizing committee decided to increase the distance and varieties to 7km, 12km, and 30km.
Taking the theme ‘Run for Hope’,’ The charity run was participated in by more than 1,000 runners from several districts, such as Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Tambunan, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Penampang, Membakut, and Beaufort. Among the seasoned runners were former Mount Kinabalu Climbathon champion Guanus Salagan and his wife, Kona Liau. Participants included women, children, senior citizens, and clergy members, with 76-year-old Louis Ening Gabriel being the oldest runner to complete the course.
Also among the participants were nuns and novices (aspiring nuns), turning the run into a true community effort with a spiritual cause. Archbishop John Wong also ran for 7km in the Open Category and finished seventh among the top ten.
The charity run held on Jun 22 was flagged off by Archbishop John Wong and witnessed by Msgr Nicholas Stephen at exactly 6.00 am, firstly releasing the 7km category, then at 6.10 am for the 12km category, and lastly at 6.15 am for the 30km category. The starting point was at the open field behind the building of St Anne Chapel, Penampang Baru.
The charity event was held to raise funds for the new building of St Anne Chapel in Penampang Baru, Kimanis.
Organizing chairman Jessel Kamijan said they have been organizing several major fundraising activities to raise funds for the new St. Anne Chapel, as the existing building could no longer accommodate the growing congregation. In addition, the Chapel was chosen as one of the seven pilgrimage centers of the ‘Seven Sacraments Pilgrimage Site’ within the parishes of Limbahau and Papar. Accordingly, the chapel compound would be very congested when a large number of pilgrimages arrived for a visit.
Other than that, the chapel reportedly served as a transit chapel for Catholics to attend Sunday service before they proceeded to Keningau or interior districts of Sabah.
“The chapel could no longer accommodate its congregation even for Sunday Mass, and we need a new and larger building. The charity run is the main activity for us to raise funds for the new building.” Jessel said.
In addition to the main races, the event grounds featured Rahmah goods on sale from two mobile trucks, various food and product stalls, and a pay-to-sing karaoke booth.
Lucky draw tickets and merchandise sales also contributed to fundraising efforts, with the grand prize being a motorcycle, alongside other top prizes including electrical appliances.
Winners for the 30 km categories, for men: 1st by Sheron Sariman, 2nd by Milton Amat, and 3rd by Wilsen Singgin. For women, 1st by Natasya Soon, 2nd by Adelinah Lintanga, and 3rd by Stephanie Gelawit.
