“It did not rain but it sure did rain people,” said President George Abela at the end of the second and successful Fun Run in aid of the Community Chest Fund, which attracted a record 7,000 participants yesterday morning.
Each paid €10 to join and Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi donated €10,000 to the cause on behalf of the government while Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat presented a token of €1,000 at the end of the run.
Banif Bank, the sole sponsor of the President’s Charity Fun Run, pledged to double the amount collected from participation in the event that was born last year, surpassing expectations to the extent it was turned into an annual run.
Last year’s edition was intended to attract 1,500 participants but the figure rose to 5,000 and it was considered a fitting warm-up to the L-Istrina annual charity campaign.
The charity run, aired live on four TV stations, kicked off from San Anton Palace, headed by the President. His wife, Dr Gonzi, Dr Muscat and their spouses led the walk from Sta Venera to St George’s Square, Valletta, which was busy in the run-up to Christmas.
The crisp but sunny morning must have lured the crowds and the long trail of runners and walkers was greeted in the square by music from the King’s Own Band Club and welcoming bystanders. Certificates of participation, water, fruit and even booklets on healthy eating were distributed to promote the fitness aspect of the charity event.
The fact that the roads were free of cars was an added bonus to the run, the President pointed out before leaving.
Dr Abela highlighted the pleasing jovial atmosphere and the fun aspect of the charity event, stressing on what he considered its most important message: “One united nation”.
He thanked the participants, including actors in their outrageous Panto costumes, over 500 Bank of Valletta employees, children and persons with disability, who were not hindered by the seven-kilometre distance from Attard through Ħamrun, Blata l-Bajda and Floriana.
A 26-year-old spina bifida sufferer, Josef Portelli, said he intended to participate every year “as long as I have the strength to” because it gave him immense satisfaction.
Although he can walk with crutches, he tackled the fun run in his wheelchair, tugging at its wheels and accepting a supportive push along the way.
Even one-year-old twins joined in but it was less of a struggle as they slept in the sun while their parents pushed the double buggy.
Dr Abela took the opportunity to encourage those who had watched the event from home to join the fun next year, insisting nothing was beyond their limits.
His own example was testimony to that. Following a back injury he sustained last May, Dr Abela said he never imagined he would be running in his own charity event again. “I thank God,” were his first words after he completed the course. “Back then, I could not walk; not even stand on my feet,” he recalled.
The President, who was an avid jogger before the accident in China, started training gradually for the run two months ago and has since been building up his fitness.
“Thank God, I am physically fit again. I’m back to square one... and back to the square!”