Early on a Saturday morning, at the break of dawn, shoe laces were tied, running gear was donned, and passionate runners took to the tracks at Alfaisal. The Journey to 5K marathon was held at Alfaisal campus on June 8th in collaboration with the We Run running community. This initiative was spearheaded by our very own Vice Dean of the College of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Family & Community Medicine at Alfaisal- Dr. Baraa Alghalyini who represented Alfaisal as a sponsor and awarded plaques to the winners. This is the second consecutive year that this community-based race has been successfully hosted at Alfaisal.
The running track was marked by the perimeter of the Alfaisal campus grounds scaling an impressive distance of 5 Km. The raceday was a celebration of fitness, fun, and fellowship. The race featured a bright orange sun rising to garland the day and regular refreshment stations placed along the tracks to keep runners energized. Beyond the competition,it emphasized the importance of health and wellness. Participants of all ages and fitness levels came together, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and support.
The race-day attracted 160 runners including our very own enthusiastic runners from the Alfaisal student community. Top female and male winners from Alfaisal runners were awarded and the top 3 females and top 3 winners from the community were awarded with plaques and gift vouchers. All participating runners were given medals. The Journey to 5K at Alfaisal was not just a running program but a testament to the strength and unity of our community. It showcased the dedication of our students, the leadership of our faculty, and the unwavering support of our families and friends.This year in particular, the Journey to 5K program introduced the “Coach in Training” intiatiative (CIT) as a shadowing opportunity for Alfaisal students to learn from the We Run coaches aiming to become future coaches.
As the day concluded, the sense of achievement and camaraderie was palpable, leaving everyone eager for next year’s event.