BEING a hub for physical wellness and championing a healthy movement towards combating the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been a key factor guiding the Suva Marathon Club.
And with the Rexona Suva Marathon now less than a month away, the mission towards championing that becomes even more necessary for the club.
This has been affirmed by the club’s president Amit Ahalawat and treasurer Francisca Viegas D Teixiera.
Ahalawat said participating in physical activity was a vital area where concerning issues such as the nation’s NCD numbers could be addressed.
“The main objective for us is to bring people over to the track, whether you run, walk or jog, whatever you can do but please be active, that’s the thing and that will certainly help,” Ahalawat told Times Sport.
Teixiera echoed Ahalawat’s sentiments on being a platform where people could join and help combat the continuous rise of NCDs.
She said the club’s continued commitment towards staging events such as the marathon paved the way for more people to show up and take part.
“There are many other groups that start running after coming to our races and coming to our social runs,” Teixiera said.
“The club works very hard to promote that community and those moments of runs, because we know that running in a race is not the only thing.
“It’s the three weeks before, the whole year before, and the commitment along the way.”
Ahalamat’s sentiments before Teixiera shared hers delved on how stress was a contributor to people facing mental health challenges and how physical activity offered a way towards overcoming the invisible hurdle.
“The stress in our lives is inevitable and we cannot stop it. It will remain whether you are a student or a professional.
“Stress will remain and that stress can only be managed through some physical exercise.”
The Suva Marathon will be held on Saturday, August 8 and will be staged in four categories with registration open on the online ticketing platform Ticketmax.
