The competition is the first ever in a region renowned for insurgency and death.

Kandahar, Afghanistan -- April 12, 2007 -- For a region that’s been rocked by insurgency and death, it was more than just a long-distance race.
 
The Kandahar Race for Peace and Unity held on April 8 and organized by Bayat Foundation brought excitement, joy and above all a feeling of solidarity in a region filled with uncertainty.

The 10K race started in Breshna Kot and ended at Sarkari Bagh. And all along the route, were 10,000 or so watchers who were brought to tears as the 500 racers went by. 

 

The youngest entrant was 10 years old.  The oldest was 55, who ran alongside his grandson.

This is the first time for an event like this in Kandahar.  And it drew runners not only from Kandahar but also Helmand and Uruzgon.

In a region where soccer is played in long pants, the runners only had on T-shirts, caps and shorts given by Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless.

One runner was overheard saying:  “This is the first time in the history of Kandahar that an event like this has happened and I have for the first time worn shorts.”

When the race ended, the spirit of fraternity and solidarity spilled into the streets.  People joined in the national dance at the stadium. 

The race helped bring people together and was a welcome change in a region which has never before had any sports activity.

The first prize was 50,000 Afghanis, a second prize of 25,000 Afghanis and a third prize of 12,500 Afghanis.

Similar races will be organized in other regions in the future and the regional winners will than participate in the final race which will be held in Kabul in August/September.  People from all across Afghanistan are expected to participate.

Similar races will be organized by the Bayat Foundation in the future. The Bayat Founation hopes that next years race will have even more participants and some females participating. The Marathon held in Kabul for the past 2 years had more females register the second year than the first.

“Events such as these give the participants and spectators hope, pride, and a sense of accomplishment,” said event coordinator and sponsor Ehsan Bayat.

For more information on the Bayat Foundation Contact:
Fatema Laya Bayat at
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For more information on Afghan Wireless Contact:
Tushar  Maheshwari at
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