‘Making dreams come true’ |01 March 2023

Challenge still open for more contributions

After completing the first challenge for the year 2023, under the theme ‘Making dreams come true’, enthusiastic charity runner Joel Melanie and his group ‒ Runners of Charity ‒ are still welcoming contributions which will go towards assisting two boys who are suffering from chronic diseases.

The funding will be for a new fold-able wheelchair, along with special-needs car seat.

The first challenge for 2023 took place on Sunday at Beau Vallon, gathering a total of 115 runners who took part in the half-marathon (21km), 10km and 5km challenges.

The competitors included those making up teams from the Indian Ocean Tuna (IOT) – Thai Union ‒ and the Seychelles Kyokushin karate.

The event organised on the last Sunday of February, coincided with the recently-held Eco-Healing Marathon which used to take place at the same venue and on the same date.

For the 21km half-marathon, Mr Melanie clocked 2 hours, 30 minutes 43 seconds (2h30:43), way off his personal best time which is 2hr17:45 set last year.

Speaking to Sports NATION, Mr Melanie explained that since it was his first challenge for the year, the time did not really matter, even if the weather was ideal for the event.

He said despite the huge turnout, they are still short of achieving the target of the first challenge.

Mr Melanie is reminding members of the public that they can still make contributions towards the cause.

The next charity challenge for the year has been scheduled for April 23, and the beneficiary will be the Diabetic Society of Seychelles.

Roland Duval