His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik yesterday morning flagged off some 1,300 participants in the 2012 National Day Run at the National Indoor Stadium and also participated in the 5km run with the participants.

The 2012 National Day Run was held simultaneously in all four districts yesterday to mark 28th National Day celebration of Brunei Darussalam.

Upon arrival His Royal Highness was greeted by YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Hazair bin Haji Abdullah, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports with Dato Paduka Awg Haji Mohd Hamid bin Hj Mohd Jaafar, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as well as Haji Muhd Zamri bin Dato Paduka Hj Hamdani, the Acting Director of Youth and Sports. Also present were senior officials from various ministries.

Prior to the start of the run, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik took part in an aerobic exercise.

This was followed by the official sound off for all the seven categories in the 2012 National Day Run. The categories included 17 years old and below for men (5km), 17 years old and below for ladies (5km), 18 years and above for men (10km), 18 years and above for ladies (10km), team of three for men (10km), team of three for ladies (10km) and for disable persons (3km).

After the run, His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik presented the prizes to the winners.

In the category for disabled persons, Blind Open, Kamarul Ariffin bin Hj Abd Ghaffar was the winner. The second and third places went to Raduan bin Hj Mataha and Norhensen binti Hj Mataha respectively. In the Wheelchair category, Shari bin Hj Jumat took the first place, followed by Rosli bin Hastan and Hj Noorishanuddin bin Hj Noorkasih in second and third places respectively.

In the Hearing and Intellectual Disabilities for men, Md Husaini bin Md Eruandy grabbed the first place followed by Md Hadi Zulhilmi bin Nirwan in second place and third place went to Hamizan bin Suhaimi.

The top place in Hearing and Intellectual Disabilities for ladies went to Noramal Ashikin binti Hj Md Nafiah. Second and third places went to Jusnani Hj Kamis and Shariwati binti Naim respectively.

In the men's 17 years old and under category, Md Sahliffpuddin bin Md Salleh came in two minutes ahead of the rest of the field when he finished with the time of 21.45.33 to win in the category. Second place went to Wali Mahdi bin Suharimi with a time of 23.07.63 while third place went to Ali Rahman bin Mohammad with the time of 23.42.26. Fourth and fifth places went to Mohd Rizauddin bin Raizal and Abdul Haziq Zakry bin Abdul Rahim respectively.

For the ladies' 17 years old and under category, Nurfarah Hana binti Abidin finished the race in 30.06 minutes to win the category. Just seconds behind was Leya Koh Wan Mei who had to settle for second place while third place went to Fazirah Binti Awag Nazri with 33.15. Fourth place went to Siti Nur Razllina Eynzlini binti Raizal at 33.57 and Norafidah binti Sarbini came in fifth place clocking 34.30.

In the Women Open 10km race, Tan Feng Ling came in first place while second place went to Woo Yung Hui. In third place was Dk Siti Khatamal Zariah and grabbing the fourth place was Faith Klein. Hajah Mas Ayu Hj Abd Hamid came in fifth place.

Continuing to dominate the men's race was Sefli Ahar who won the Men's 10km Open. His nearest rival was Azman Amir who came in second place. Third place went to Rahimis bin Hj Hassan while in fourth place was Muhd Norisham. Fifth place went to Salamat Sahari.

The Men's Team Open event was won by the team of Shamsul, Zainor Sam and Md Ismazmi. Second place went to the team of Abd Muiz, Rudy Ismawandey and Md Azrol while third place went to Hazirol, Eddy Azuandy and Hj Masrodi.

In the Women's Team Open event, Tan Siew King with her teammates Nurul Munirah and Noorizah Hj Kassim won first place followed by the team of Rosmawati Hj Omar, BiBi Marcella Kula and Khoo Bee Suan in second place while third place went to the team of Dk Aslina Pg Hj Rambli, Farizah Hj Said and Norazerah.

Meanwhile, in the Belait District, the race kicked off at Pusat Insani in Seria Town and was officiated by Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman, the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. In Tutong, the run was officiated by Awang Hj Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Yunos, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports while in the Temburong District, Hj Ismail bin Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Dato Paduka Hj Hashim officiated the run. - Borneo Bulletin (5 March 2012)