Running is fun, and for everyone<\/p>\n
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Eko grabbed his medal and held it high, proud to have crossed the
\nfinish line in the World Run Day on Sunday, organized by the
\nBritish International School (BIS) in Bintaro, Tangerang.<\/p>\n
Although he did not place in the three-kilometer and five-
\nkilometer non-competitive runs, all participants who made it
\nthrough the finish line received a medal.<\/p>\n
Eko approached his friends while several parents patted his
\nshoulder in congratulations.<\/p>\n
\"I am thirsty and I need a drink. I am tired but I am happy,\"
\nhe said, still trying to catch his breath.<\/p>\n
Eko and his friends -- who have Down's syndrome -- all managed
\nto finish the run, although some needed assistance from their
\nadult companions. Other participants of the run yelled, \"Great
\njob,\" or clapped whenever one of Eko's group made it across the
\nfinish line.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Down's Syndrome Association (ISDI) chairwoman
\nAryanti R. Yacub expressed her gratitude to BIS, which had
\ninvited Eko and other children to join the fun run, and said the
\nevent could be the start of communal recognition of Down's
\nsyndrome children.<\/p>\n
\"This is a very good event for the children. We hope people do
\nnot reject them as a part of society. We also hope that the
\nchildren will be invited to more events after this,\" she told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The World Run Day, which falls on Nov. 7 every year, is an
\ninternational fund-raiser in which participants literally run for
\ncharity.<\/p>\n
Since its establishment in 1999, millions of people in
\nhundreds of cities across the world have participated in the
\nevent, running to make a contribution directly to their favorite
\ncharity.<\/p>\n
This year, around 400 cities held events to mark the day. The
\nfun run organized by BIS was the second to be held in Jakarta,
\nand the only official World Run Day celebration in Indonesia this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
Paul Starkie, BIS head of Pastoral Care and Community
\nRelations, said around 400 children and adults from both
\ninternational and local schools participated in the event, which
\naimed to raise money to help the poor of the surrounding
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
\"We managed to raise around Rp 25 million (US$2,747) from this
\nevent. And all will go to charity,\" Starkie told the Post.<\/p>\n
A British father and his 10-year-old daughter, who sat down to
\nrest near the finish line, looked tired but happy.<\/p>\n
\"We are exhausted, but we enjoyed it very much. The atmosphere
\nis fantastic. I think this is a very good event for a family
\ngathering,\" he said.<\/p>",
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