Caption: Members of the Jet Runners Club at the Nadi river along the Votualevu area. Photo: SUPPLIED.
By JOSEPHINE NAVULA
Reviving long distance running in the country after a long time, Jet Runners Club will host a 10 kilometres (km) road race championship for the first time in Nadi, this Saturday.
Jet Runners Club director and former Fiji rep, Abhinesh Chand said they have been hosting races ever since they started the club.
“We started our club last year since then we hosted races every month but this time we will organize 10km road race,” he said.
Chand said they are glad to bring back long distance running in Fiji, after a long time.
“Since we are reviving long distance running in Fiji, we are proud to bring back 10km race into the country after laps of 10 to 15 years,” he said.
Chand said all their events are sanctioned by Fiji National Athletics Federation that has shown interest in the program.
“All our events are sanctioned by Fiji Athletics, also Oceania Athletics Federation and International Athletics Federation are interested with our programs.”
“The first finisher for the event will represent Fiji in Oceania 10km road Championship in Gold Coast Australia on 1st weekend of July,” he said.
Chand also encourages athletes who took part at the recent Coca Cola Games to also join the club.
“I know most of the runners from secondary school lost the Coke Games but it’s not the end of the world for them because secondary school athletics in this world is the starting platform for athletes and learning should be our main objective.”
“I also hope when the coach comply training programs for athletes, will always encourage for the whole year and not for two months only,” he said.
“If we go through athletics in the country, we don’t have good long distance runners from 2005, that’s why we are now increasing the distances to encourage more people in to running .We also would like to welcome people who want to use this run for health and fitness,” he said.
On Saturday the Registration will start at 6am and the race will begin at 6.30 am .There will be two grades only for Open and Veteran and male & female.
First, second and third place getter will be awarded with medals.
Meanwhile, Members of the club took out their time to involve themselves in community works.
“Last Sunday the members of the club took an initiative to clean the Nadi river in Votualevu area .I am thankful to our members who support me to keep our environment clean and hope others will join to support climate change programs .This club is not only for running but we help the nation grow and also the plans are in pipe line to form a little Athletics Club to support kids in Fiji,” he said.
The Jet Runners Club will then organize a Fun Run competition of Korovuto College to commemorate International Day against Drug Abuse on the 13th of June. And later organize a 21.1 km Championship in Votualevu on the 15th of June.