2017 Trukai 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.

After reaching the finish line, GG Bob Dadae said Team PNG athletes have done a good job representing the country and putting PNG on the world map, and that the Fun Run was one way to keep supporting them.

“Thank you to everyone who took part today. For those who didn’t, I encourage you to join us next year,” said Dadae.

He added the Fun Run unites the people of PNG.

“It was fantastic. There was a good turnout this morning. It was good to see a lot of Papua New Guineans, young and old walking together.

Men, women, children and some with their pets, flocked in to the Sir John Guise Stadium as early as 2am to prepare for the event.

By 6am, a sea of yellow had engulfed the roads of Port Moresby as city residents walked, jogged and ran the five kilometre route, crossing the finishing line back at the stadium.

Secretary General of the PNG Olympic Committee, Auvita Rapilla, said the turnout at this morning’s Fun Run was overwhelming.

“It’s probably the biggest turnout we’ve ever had. From start to the finish, the whole route was packed with a sea of yellow.

The Lae Auction Event is on Wednesday March 8 at the Lae Yacht Club, starting at 5:30pm; while the Port Moresby auction will take place on Thursday, March 9 at the Royal Papua Yacht Club at 5:30pm.

Like any athlete seeking a personal best, Trukai’s major objective for the 2017 auctions is simple: Sell 100,000 T-Shirts.

Inclusive of the auction shirt sales, more than 81,000 shirts were sold nationwide last year.

Pini, who has represented PNG for over 20 years said events like the Trukai Fun Run have been a huge benefit for the men and women of Team PNG.

He gave an example saying Team PNG’s participation at the Rio 2016 Olympics was made possible through the support of Trukai Industries and people buying Fun Run T-shirts.

 “I would really like to appeal once again to the corporate community to out their hands up and bid for T-shirts at the auction for Team PNG and for schools.

The launch was held today at the Royal Papua Yacht Club in Port Moresby, and featured some of Team PNG’s athletes and school children who modelled this year’s Fun Run T-shirts.

PNG Olympic Committee’s Chairman of Fundraising, Syd Yates said the Fun Run is an important event that greatly assists in developing PNG’s elite athletes through training and competition at international events at home and abroad.

“The PNG Olympic Committee greatly relies on funds raised through the sale of Trukai Fun Run T-shirts to compete at the Pacific, Commonwealth and Olympic Games.