5 July 2015 | San Antonio, Texas, USA [Katie Allen, tedNEWS] La Villita, the historic arts village in downtown San Antonio, looked beautiful lit by strings of lights at 5am on Sunday, 5 July. What added to the surroundings was the enthusiasm of around 2,000 attendees of General Conference (GC) Session warming up to run, or walk, a 5K course!
The fun run was an event under ‘InStep For Life’, an initiative of the North American Division’s (NAD) Health Ministries department. The department believes the initiative provides opportunities to live and share the message of healthful living in a broad context, while making a positive impact for Christ.
“I’m delighted to see so many people and that tells me they’re interested in good health!” commented Ted Wilson, recently re-elected GC President. “Good health is actually part of the final cry, the Third Angel’s Message of restoration and the calling of people back to the true worship of God. So, I’m just delighted that everyone is here and it is significant for the General Conference Session because it tells the world we are interested in good health physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.”
Despite some people having to battle sleep to make it to registration, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy and participants were excited to share how they had – or, in some cases, hadn’t – been preparing in the lead up to the run.
“I prepared for this morning by doing absolutely nothing,” shared John Bradshaw, current presenter of TV programme, ‘It Is Written’. “I got an injury a few weeks ago and in many ways I’m thanking God for that injury, so I don’t have to run, I’m just going to walk! I think [the run] emphasises the importance of good health and looking after yourself and that’s a large part of our identity as Seventh-day Adventists, it’s in our DNA.”
It was easy to distinguish the first few passing the finish line, as they had left the majority of runners behind, but as the masses descended it became harder and harder! Fortunately, professional race management company, IAPP, were running the technical side of the run and participants were able to see live statistics at the end of the race.
First across the line, in 18 minutes 46 seconds, was Elpidio Sanchez Rocha, from Mexico. The first woman to finish the race was Yanory Hernandez, from Illinois, coming in at 20 minutes 55 seconds.
“I’m feeling good!” enthused an out of breath Yanory. “I just imagined that all the people in front of me were ladies I had to beat. I’m training for a marathon that I run each year, so I tried to do my tempo work and I came through in good time.”
Aiding with the throngs of participants were several police officers and first aid volunteers, their encouraging cheers, and help with rehydration, were welcome support along the route.
“We’re just here to provide safety and to get everyone through the whole experience in a good, safe manner”, said Officer Sanchez. “If, provided they let me off duty, I might be able to participate in something like this in the future.”
The whole event ended with an award ceremony, celebrating everyone that participated and awarding those that finished first, second and third in the various age categories. The final highlight of the experience? Seeing the sun rise up over the city. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
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