OM Zambia participates in Run4TheWorld for the fourth year, offering 35-km and 65-km cycling routes, in addition to the 10-km run.
“We want to get distance,” explained SportsLink Africa Area Coordinator Chris Welman. “People can ride, they can run. Different means of movement, that's what we want to create. We want to create a movement of fellowship, health, finances, teams working together and just having fun.”
Saturday, 3 October 2015, over 100 people gathered at the OM Zambia training base in Kabwe to participate in this year’s Run4TheWorld (R4TW).
“One [purpose of the event] is to build relationships between people,” said Chris. “Then there is the funding side of it—getting people running for a specific cause. Then there's togetherness, unity. I think sports have the ability to bring people together. It doesn't matter if you're in a wheelchair, you're old, or you’re young, anyone can participate, even if you're there taking pictures or helping at the water station.”
This was OM Zambia's fourth year participating in R4TW, and for the first time, the day offered 35-kilometre (approx. 22-mile) and 65-kilometre (approx. 40-mile) bike routes, in addition to the 10-kilometre (approx. 6-mile) run. The introduction of the bike routes helped draw people from outside of Kabwe to the event.
Starting at 07:00 for the bikers and 30 minutes later for the runners, the day started out overcast, but soon grew hot.
“There was a positive vibe,” Chris said. “A lot of people were helping out. And everywhere you go with a bike, or running, there are always kids there—all the faces popping out from nowhere.”
Charles Malupande, a missions student at the OM Zambia base, was excited when he heard about the event.
“I wanted to run for God, just for God,” said Charles. “To thank Him for what He is busy doing in my life.”
On his entry card Charles indicated that he would enter the 35-kilometre bike race. Because he did not have a bike, he asked around to find out if anyone could lend him one.
“The week before the run [Charles] was all over me,” said Alfred Kashikechi, an OM worker involved in organising the event. “[He said] ‘I want to bike, I want to bike,' but he didn't have a bike. I told him he could enter the run.”
And run he did. Not only did Charles finish first in the 10-kilometre run, he did so running barefoot.
“I can't remember [how fast I ran],” smiled Charles. “But I was faster [than everyone else]”.
A week later, during morning devotions at the base, Alfred wheeled a new bright-yellow bicycle to the front of the room to award to the winner of the 10-kilometre race.
“I was excited to present the bike; Charles really deserved it,” said Alfred.
Donated by Zam Bike, the bicycle was supposed to have been presented on race day, but it was delayed. Having thought there were no prizes for the race, Charles was shocked to receive the prize, but very happy to take ahold of the handlebars.
“God is a God of grace, of love, and He is our provider,” Charles said later. “He gave [the bike] to me, and it was a surprise to receive it like that. I wasn't expecting it.
“I want to use it for when I go to do ministry, also to church, and to help other people by letting them use it.”
To find out more about R4TW events near you, check out www.r4tw.org.