Special Olympics Belize yearly fun run goes countrywide

Every year at this time, Special Olympics Belize stages its Fun Run to promote awareness of special needs children. The event has been growing exponentially and this year, Fun Runs are being held in all district towns from north to south. The main event was held this Wednesday in Punta Gorda attracting a huge crowd and this morning in Belize City, supporters of the activity were up bright and early to participate. Duane Moody joined the event.

Duane Moody, Reporting

For several years now, Special Olympics Belize has been putting off a fun run to bring awareness to children with disabilities who are athletes. This year, the run is being held in each district and on Wednesday the main event was held in PG. One of the main sponsors, One World Running, promotes awareness of health, fitness and nutrition and provides running shoes to those in need. Today, the run took place in Belize City and bright and early at six o’clock this morning, participants gathered at the Stella Maris Primary School.

Rodvern Lino, National Sports Director, Special Olympics Belize

Rodvern Lino

“It is something to create awareness for Special Olympics and our athletes and it is a community activity so we invite the community to participate along with our athletes.”

Duane Moody

“Tell us about the response that you guys have been receiving for the fun run and how it has grown over the years.”

Rodvern Lino

“Well the response has been tremendous throughout the country; this is a country event…every district is having their own fun run and from all accounts, our support has been overwhelming. Especially in PG for the main event that was sponsored by Smart and One World Running and we had a huge turnout there. So the support for the event has been overwhelming.”

Marlon Rodriguez

Marlon Rodriguez, Athlete

“I make it today…usually I do routine running, walk, riding. I keep up in shape, eat healthy food every day.”

Duane Moody

“So you completed the run?”

Marlon Rodriguez

“I completed it in good time; in half an hour I reach.”

One supporter was the Belize High School.

Vivek Budwani, President, Interact Club, Belize High School

Vivek Budwani

“BHS, as a new school, we really need to reach out to people so they know who we are in the first place. And we feel it is very important to give back to our community and support certain events and also because we love to give back to our community and we believe that these people really need it, especially the kids in Special Olympics because we believe they need that extra support. When our principal approached us earlier this week, she said whoever wants to volunteer. And I was like that’s a great opportunity for us to come and support the Special Olympics. So I rounded up some Interact Club members, student council members and some students here and there and the turnout was really good. We had about twenty to twenty-five students come and for them to wake up five in the morning, it is a lot. So I am proud of them.”

And following the run, all participates were rehydrated courtesy of Grace Kennedy Belize Limited.

Lourdes Collado

Lourdes Collado, Brand Manager, Strategic Partners, Grace Kennedy Belize Limited

“We are here engaging in this activity with the young and old. We are here with Grace bringing in Yus for everybody so that they can taste the real, almost flavor of fruit.”

Duane Moody

“Why did you guys feel it was important to partner with Special Olympics for an event like this?”

Lourdes Collado

“Well of course you know it is Special Olympics very important for us to bring that focus and attention in Belize and in general nationwide. And it is important for Grace because it is all about family for us.”

Duane Moody for News Five.