(This article first appeared on Care2Run’s Facebook page on Aug 25, 2018) 

TWO groups of extraordinary individuals will once again be in the spotlight on Sunday, Aug 26 as Care2Run continues with preparations for this year’s Bursa Bull Charge (BBC2018).

The first group comprises 30 amazing individuals who will be taking part in the 1.5km para run component of BBC2018, while the second is made up of fresh-faced coaches with learning differences – most of them still in school – who wear their ‘Junior Coach’ patch with pride.

Care2Run conducted run selections on the weekend of Aug 18-19, and the sessions were notable in that even though they were helmed by senior coaches, in every session, Care2Run’s young leaders were given the opportunity to take centrestage and shine.

What was even more remarkable was how these junior coaches led with confidence – a quality that many of them only managed to unleash after participating in the Junior Leaders Programme, a five-eight week programme that seeks to empower young people to become more sociable, active, confident and employable.

Says Care2Run’s co-founder and principal coach Prem Kumar Ramadas of the junior coaches’ contributions: “It was a truly humbling experience to watch our fast runners slowing down, doing laps and coaching the beginners with admiration, respect and grace.”

The second group of extraordinary persons are, of course, the 30 para runners, who have been hard at work getting read to walk, jog and run with Malaysia’s most prominent business personalities in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s central business district on Sept 27.

Daniel Loh, 34, who has cerebral palsy, and who is set to take part in BBC2018, says he found last weekend’s sessions fun and rewarding.

“I found that everyone hit it off like old friends. I was just slightly disappointed that we didn’t get to finish the session on Saturday because it started to rain,” he says.

“I also like the ambience at Taman Aman as it is a disabled-friendly park and is a great place for recreational activities.”

Care2Run has already hit its intended mark of 30 para runners for BBC2018. However, that doesn’t mean that doors are shut. In fact, Care2Run insists that doors and hearts remain open to anyone above the age of 18 with physical and development disabilities who’d like to join the next three BBC2018 prep sessions at Taman Aman Park in Petaling Jaya.

Think you’d fancy a walk around the lake and some fun games and activities on a Sunday morning? Our upcoming session is set for Sunday, Aug 26, at 7.45am.

The Para Run component of BBC2018 is a joint partnership between Yayasan Bursa and Care2Run. To register go here: https://goo.gl/forms/PwlG0HFmV71IckXs2. For more details say hello to us at hello@care2run.my or via our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/care2run