Khost Run Race, 2007. “The biggest sports event in Khost left an amazing impression.”

There was excitement, thrill, joy, happiness and above all a feeling of solidarity in a region. This catalyst of change was brought about by the vision of Mr. Ehsan Bayat, Chairman of Bayat Foundation. When many were skeptical about it he was strong in his belief and the dream he had.

The dream was to organize a race in Khost where people would run to Say No to DRUGS and YES to Peace and Unity, show the entire world that even in a tough situation, the Afghan people can get together and show their spirit of resilience and will power. The true Afghan spirit

The Khost Run Race was organized on the 27th July and received tremendous response from the people of Khost. It started from Sidqiue-Rohi High School and ended at Jirgo Tallar in the middle of the city which is a distance of 7 KM. The race had participants from all age groups from 10 year old to 52 year old. There was a spirit of participation and involvement which brought tremendous applause from over 20,000 spectators who had lined up to watch over 300 participants run.

This was the first time in Khost that an event of this magnitude had been organized and the participants came not only from Khost but also from nearby towns. All of them ran and were wearing T-Shits, Caps and shorts given by Bayat Foundation and Afghan Wireless.

The first prize winner for Af.50,000 was Nawab from Baghlan province who traveled all the way from Baghlan to participate.  Ghulam Sidique from Khost gave a very close challenge to Nawab. Ghulam won Af25,000 cash for his second place while Ismail won the 3rd prize for Af 10,000.

The spirit of fraternity and solidarity was so strong that the participants danced the national dance together at the end of the race in the stadium. Many participants remarked “This is the first time in the history of Khost that an event like this has happened”. The race helped bring people together and was a welcome change in a region which has not had many sports activities in the past.

Similar races will be organized in other regions in the future and the regional winners will then participate in the final race to be held in Kabul sometime in August/September. This would be the final test of strength which will have people participating from all over Afghanistan.