Jog For Hope 2014
On the groggy dawn of September 14th, Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas was unusually abuzz with activity. Vans shuttled past the entrance of the college, one after the other, bringing various cargo and personnel. Volunteers streamed in and out of the college, bleary-eyed but determined to complete the tasks at hand. The preparation for Jog for Hope had been going on for months and months – and this was the final stretch.
Jog for Hope is an annual charity run organised by the students of Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas with the aim of raising funds for a particular institution. This year, the proceeds were donated to Stepping Stones Living Centre – a home for underprivileged children and senior citizens founded by Pastor Johnson. The turnout for the run was enormous, with around two thousand people who registered for the event. The mass of people started to trickle into college at around 6 in the morning, creating an air of excitement for both experienced and amateur runners - not to mention the jubilant atmosphere from the reunion of old friends and the introduction of new ones. Upon arrival, the volunteers immediately directed the runners to the registration, race number and shirt collection, or bag deposit area; after making full use of these booths, runners waited in anticipation for the race to begin. Unfortunately, the rain delayed the scheduled flag off at 7.30am by half an hour and a few runners had been soaked walking to the college.
Nevertheless, runners were undeterred as they gathered at the start line at around 7.45am. The rain had subsided into a light drizzle by then, and shortly after, the runners were flagged off. Cheers of encouragement resounded from the volunteers as well as the participants themselves in the spirit of sportsmanship. The race had begun! With a jolt of adrenaline, the runners in front shot off before anyone could catch them while others maintained a slower but steady pace - each runner had a different strategy in order to complete the run as quickly as possible. Marshals were ready to direct the continuous stream of runners along their respective routes, aided by policemen who ensured their safety by controlling the flow of traffic. Meanwhile, members of the Red Crescent were on standby to treat any injuries. Volunteers at the water stations were the main heroes of the day – tirelessly filling cups after cups and passing them to the exhausted runners. Overall, the runners reveled in the chilly weather and a smooth, enjoyable route. A few speedy runners even excelled and were able to win medals as they were the top five runners in their category.
Most runners had arrived back at the college by 9am, sweaty and fatigued but proud of their achievements – whether it was a placing in their category or a personal best in terms of timing. They were given “goodie bags” full of vouchers and food that were sponsored by companies such as Corntoz and Mister Potato. In addition, each runner was awarded a certificate for completing the run. Many participants lounged around the college after the run, taking advantage of the Adidas booth that was selling their products at 40% discount. They were also able to take photos with the mascots of the day and enjoy the music and entertainment provided by the emcee.
At around 10am, the prize-giving ceremony took place, after which the event was officially declared as ended. Runners left the college satisfied with their accomplishments for the day, as well as the volunteers and committee who had worked hard to make the event a success. Despite the challenges that arose that day, the runners, committee, and volunteers were able to adapt and improvise to the situation due to the incredible extent of cooperation between all three parties. On behalf of the committee, a very hearty thank you to all who have participated in this event, and we hope to see you at Jog for Hope 2015!
Written by Jamie Liew
Head of Writing
South Australian Matriculation
Jog for Hope is an annual charity run organised by the students of Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas with the aim of raising funds for a particular institution. This year, the proceeds were donated to Stepping Stones Living Centre – a home for underprivileged children and senior citizens founded by Pastor Johnson. The turnout for the run was enormous, with around two thousand people who registered for the event. The mass of people started to trickle into college at around 6 in the morning, creating an air of excitement for both experienced and amateur runners - not to mention the jubilant atmosphere from the reunion of old friends and the introduction of new ones. Upon arrival, the volunteers immediately directed the runners to the registration, race number and shirt collection, or bag deposit area; after making full use of these booths, runners waited in anticipation for the race to begin. Unfortunately, the rain delayed the scheduled flag off at 7.30am by half an hour and a few runners had been soaked walking to the college.
Nevertheless, runners were undeterred as they gathered at the start line at around 7.45am. The rain had subsided into a light drizzle by then, and shortly after, the runners were flagged off. Cheers of encouragement resounded from the volunteers as well as the participants themselves in the spirit of sportsmanship. The race had begun! With a jolt of adrenaline, the runners in front shot off before anyone could catch them while others maintained a slower but steady pace - each runner had a different strategy in order to complete the run as quickly as possible. Marshals were ready to direct the continuous stream of runners along their respective routes, aided by policemen who ensured their safety by controlling the flow of traffic. Meanwhile, members of the Red Crescent were on standby to treat any injuries. Volunteers at the water stations were the main heroes of the day – tirelessly filling cups after cups and passing them to the exhausted runners. Overall, the runners reveled in the chilly weather and a smooth, enjoyable route. A few speedy runners even excelled and were able to win medals as they were the top five runners in their category.
Most runners had arrived back at the college by 9am, sweaty and fatigued but proud of their achievements – whether it was a placing in their category or a personal best in terms of timing. They were given “goodie bags” full of vouchers and food that were sponsored by companies such as Corntoz and Mister Potato. In addition, each runner was awarded a certificate for completing the run. Many participants lounged around the college after the run, taking advantage of the Adidas booth that was selling their products at 40% discount. They were also able to take photos with the mascots of the day and enjoy the music and entertainment provided by the emcee.
At around 10am, the prize-giving ceremony took place, after which the event was officially declared as ended. Runners left the college satisfied with their accomplishments for the day, as well as the volunteers and committee who had worked hard to make the event a success. Despite the challenges that arose that day, the runners, committee, and volunteers were able to adapt and improvise to the situation due to the incredible extent of cooperation between all three parties. On behalf of the committee, a very hearty thank you to all who have participated in this event, and we hope to see you at Jog for Hope 2015!
Written by Jamie Liew
Head of Writing
South Australian Matriculation
