The 4 kilometers challenge will commence from Stint Corner to Traffic Light in Fajara following the first edition of the marathon which was held last month from Brusubi Turntable to Traffic Light in Fajara.
This second edition has already gathered a promising hype especially on social media as some journalists who are anticipating for the challenge are hitting the roads, jogging to cover kilometers before the D-day.
The theme for the 4th July challenge is ‘Run Against Discrimination’ and is one of several runs to be organized monthly ahead of the maiden December run.
One of the participants, Big Sam hailed the importance of the initiative, noting that he is preparing very well for the second edition after being part of the first edition last month.
“This edition has gathered more hype compared to the first edition last month. I am preparing it very hard as I am doing my jogging every weekend together with a team am coordinating in Brikama.”
According to him, the Saturday challenge is too small for him after running to the end in the first edition, adding that being part of the first edition is very awesome to him, saying that it is an added advantage compared to those who will be making their first appearance.
“This is a very brilliant idea coming from the initiators. This is the first time journalists are going out together to have some exercise and us as journalists don’t usually have time to go for exercise as it is part of health,” said Mariama Cham, producer of Choice News.
According her, she is prepared for the Saturday challenge and she is looking forward to be one of the surprise packages during the challenge. She called on all the female journalists to come out and support their own initiative. “This is about the media and the media is powerful.”
Omar Faye, a journalist at Choice FM Radio said he is sure of his fitness already, while challenging anyone who tried to prove an athlete on 4th July. “I am doing my things underground,” he said, and added, “My challenge was Landing Jallow Sonko but the dude doesn’t get what it takes to challenge me. I am all-ready and out to challenge anyone. I got what it takes.”
The event initiator, Sang Mendy, said the initiative is surrounded by three objectives; raising funds to establish a Scholarship Trust Fund to support deserving journalism students and conduct capacity building for women, young and rural journalists and to encourage media personnel to develop high level of fitness, maintain their weight and keep a healthy body mass through daily or weekly exercise.
He said the third aim is to enable media workers to gather, walk, run, exchange ideas, and network among themselves.
According to him, the idea of the initiative was first conceived by Gibriel Jassey of West Coast Radio who motivated him to make it a challenge for media practitioners.
“Being a sports guy, I always go for jogging every weekend and Gibriel Jassey came up with the idea together with me to make a call amongst media practitioners to make it challenge,” he said.
He called on media practitioners to take ownership of the initiative, saying that will help journalists to make time from their busy schedules to take part in the initiative.
