Over 17,000 participate in Tsunami victims dedicated race in Islamabad
Pakistan Times National News Desk

ISLAMABAD: More than 17,000 people on Sunday participated in the six-kilometre First Islamabad Mini Marathon, dedicated to Tsunami victims, and for ensuring relief and contributions for these affectees.

The participants started gathering in F-9 Park at about 9.00 am and were issued a coupon, containing two parts. These participants were required to complete the race around the perimeter of F-9 park within 90 minutes.

The race, organized under the auspices of Islamabad Capital Territory administration started at about 12.00 pm from the gate opening towards E-9 Sector.

The race opened for all age groups, turned right towards Shaheen Chowk and from there followed the perimeter wall of F-9 Park along the road from Shaheen Chowk to the T&T Chowk, again turning right towards Sector F-10.

From the corner of F-9 Park, the runners turned right to finish in front of gate opening towards F-10 Sector.

The Prizes

The first part of the coupons was collected before the start of the race while second part of the coupon was deposited on completion of race for a draw to distribute over-200 prizes of different kinds.

Elaborate arrangements were made for the event and all roads around F-9 parks remained close for the traffic from 11.30 am to 2 pm.

Colour Television, DVD players, Sports Cycle and Mobile Phones were awarded to first five positions holders while track suits and joggers were given to the next 15 position-holders.

A ballot for other 200 prizes was held for the remaining participants during musical programme by EP group.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, who was the chief guest, gave away prizes to the position holders and also announced a contribution of Rs 100,000 in the President's Fund for Tsunami victims.

Call to Philanthropists

He appealed to the philanthropists to contribute generously for the help of the affectees.

Advisor to PM on Women Development, Ms Nilofar Bakhtiar appreciated ICT for holding this public event.

She appealed well-to-do people to come forward for serving the tsunami victims with their contributions.

Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, State Minister for Finance Division Omar Ayub Khan, several members of Parliament and people from different walks of life especially the students and youth attended the event as a mark of solidarity and unity with the Tsunami victims.

The Chief Commissioner said that ICT had given an aid of Rs 3 million to Red Crescent for the help of tsunami victims.

He said District administration has established several camps to collect relief goods for the tsunami victims and people are contributing generously in these
camps.

Joint prayer was also held for the victims at the end of the programme.●