Eleven year old wins Gold for Gembogl Primary

Eleven-year-old Bana Philip took the crowd by storm when he finished first in the long distance race of the Kundiawa-Gembogl Primary Schools category of the prestigious Mt Wilhelm Race recently.

The race started as early as 5 o’clock in the morning at Dickson Oval in Kundiawa town, ending at Kegesuglo airstrip at the foot of the famous Mt Wilhelm.

Despite Simbu’s misty morning, the 6 by 7km relay saw participants as young as 10 from primary schools, Secondary Schools, TVET and Open categories at the starting line.

The 47 km relay covered Simbu’s rugged terrains in the quest to be crowned the champions of the Mt Wilhelm Race.

The runners covered sloppy and steep hills, crossed bridges and climbed mountains before coming to the next station to pass on the baton.

Six stations were covered before the finishing line.

 Bana Philip of Gembogl Primary school outclassed runners in her category to bring the Gold home.

“My teacher told me to train hard for this race and I’m happy that I took part and won this race” Bana said.

Gembogl Primary School also pocketed the silver in the male division of the Primary Schools category while Barengigl Primary School snatched gold in the male division and bronze in the female division.

Goro Primary School Team 1 took bronze in male division and Prenorka Primary took silver in the female division.

In High/Secondary Schools and TVET category, Mai High School walked away with Gold in the Male and Silver in the Female divisions.

Onglai brothers and YDK mothers collected gold in open division.

The race coincided with the launching of the Mt Wilhelm National Park Development and Management Plan 2016-2026.

Author: 
Tere Alex