In the spirit of the Olympics, thousands braved rain in Kuala Belait yesterday to join the mass Olympic Day Run organised by the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BDNOC) with the cooperation of the Department of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah together with YAM Pg Muda 'Abdul 'Aleem and YAM Pg Anak 'Aliiyah Amalul Bulqiah took part in the mass run that began and ended at Taman Persiaran, Jalan Sungai, Kuala Belait.

Also joining the event was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Awg Haji Hazair bin Hj Abdullah.

Joining the Bruneians in the movement was the British High Commissioner to the country, Rob Fenn, as London will host the Olympics next year for a record third time.

The Olympic Day Run is an international Olympic movement promoting mass participation of sports held in June and organised by the National Olympic Committees (NOCs).

The first Olympic Day Run was held in 1987 in an effort to encourage all NOCs to commemorate and celebrate the Olympic Day.

The IOC Sport for All Commission launched the Olympic Day Run concept with the objective of promoting the practice of participation in sport by men, women and children from all corners of the world and all walks of life, regardless of their athletic ability.

The event saw six categories - 2.5km for special needs people, 10km for adults 49 years below, five km for boys below 15 years, five km for girls below 15 years, five km for women and five km for adults above 50 years old. - Borneo Bulletin (27th June 2011)