Residents’ take on the Fun Run

And yearly, people of all ages, race and walks of life, participate in this biggest community social event.

It doesn’t matter how far they live. 4am is not much of a big deal to leave the comforts of their bed and join in on the fun.

And each year, each person does so, with individual reasons:

Vernda Rumints & Shirley Jack

Vernda and Shirley reside at Nine-Mile, just outside the heart of Port Moresby.

Every Wednesday at 4pm, the two girls run the distance from Nine-Mile to Malolo Estate.

This, they say, is to keep them refreshed and fit.

“Through the week, we’re at school. So our Wednesday runs are to balance our mental health with our physical.”

With a few more friends, the two Marianville Secondary School Grade 10 students took to the Sir John Guise stadium for the 2017 Trukai Fun Run.

“This is to socialise,” they said.

Samuel Amo

At the end of the race, Samuel had a plastic bag full of plastic bottles attached to it, swung over his left shoulder.

This was for his mother, who sells water reusing empty water bottles.

The Grade Nine student from Badihagwa Secondary School participated for two reasons: For the fun and to collect as many empty water bottles he could.

He came all the way from Badili.

Magret Meria & Alice Kondai

Magret is 47 years old. Alice is a mother of 7 adult children and already being called a grandmother.

Every Sunday, they wake up as early 3am. Along with other residents around Eight-Mile, they get on the bus organised by the NCD Governor – Powes Parkop.

The buses take them to Murray Barracks where they meet with a thousand other Port Moresby residents and walk all the way to Ela Beach.

They have been participating in Walk for Life for the last four years and Yoga for Life for the last two years.

“It’s our exercise to avoid any disease,” they said.

This Sunday, the organisers arranged for them to join the Trukai Fun Run instead.

“This route is more like a shortcut for us,” they said.