1st Official Guangzhou Asian Games Fun Run in Bali 21-06-2007

Over four hundred children sprinted to the finish line at the Sanur Village on Thursday 21st June as part of the Official 16th Asian Games, Guangzhou 2010 Fun Run which celebrated sport in Asia and highlighted the beautiful city of Guangzhou.

The event was organised by the Olympic Council of Asia and Indonesian Olympic Committee.  Children from different schools in Bali, aged between 11 – 14 years, were invited to take part in the Asian Games Fun Run.  Special guests such President of Indonesian Olympic Committee Mrs. Rita Subowa and President of Bali provincial Olympic Committee Mr Igb Alit Putra were also present at the Fun Run to assist in the start of the races and the medal presentation.

The fun run started at 7:30am but before the start all the participants took part in a warm up together to get them ready for the run which started at the Sanur Village opposite the Grand Bali Beach Resort and took the 400 runners 2.5km along the beach and back to the finish line.

Each entrant that took part was rewarded with a certificate of achievement, Asian Games Fun Run t-shirt and cap from the OCA. In addition, there were a host of lucky dip prizes including TVs, fans and stereo systems for the children which made the day even more exciting. 

The event attracted quite a crowd of spectators who were enjoying the early Thursday morning Bali beach breaks, they also stayed for the singing and dancing that took place before and after the run.  Traditional Balinese music could be heard from the beach and the loud drums and dancing created a truly unique atmosphere for not only the runners but all the spectators too.

The fun run attracted wide-spread press attention on the actual day of the event as well as in the lead up to it. Local TV stations TVRI and Bali TV and radio coverage on RRI Radio Republic of Indonesia and daily newspapers Patriali Pos, Koran Bali, Pelita and Go Sports Magazine all covered the event.