Road Run 2018

My school annual cross country run fell on the 24th February 2018. The wind howls as the students arrive through the gates, hustling and bustling down the corridors. Friends are greeting each other with a hug or a playful punch. On that day, I arrived at the school around 7.00 a.m. Dressed in our respective colorful house T-shirts -- yellow, green, blue and red, we assembled at the pavilion and lined up according to our houses Kesatria, Hebat, Berjaya and Maju.

Our sports teacher, Encik Halim briefed us on the dos and don'ts during the cross country run. After the morning exercise, we were the first badge to walk in a single file to the school gate. Puan Sharon blew the horn and off we go. We ran from the school, passed a housing estate with nice bungalows and down the long curvy road. The route was scenic but the actual running was a real killer. Most of us forced our legs to run fast, overtaking some slow students, ignoring their jeers and cheers. Having played the fool during the practice sessions, most of us felt our hearts pounding like a thousand drums. A group of girls overtook me. Despite the muscle ache, I increased my stride and managed to match their paces. When I only completed half of the route, I saw my best friend, Wen May, running from the opposite direction, back to the finishing line. As expected from her, she is going to get the first place for Kesatria again.

I reached the finishing line ten minutes later, huffing and puffing trying to grasp my breath. I was panting heavily but proud that I actually completed the road run although I did not get into the top 30. Wen May, Win Nie and I headed towards the school gate, lucky enough to meet our friends from the last category before they run. Win Nie cheered for Osmund and Chiam, both from Maju respectively while Wen May and I wished the Kesatria members good luck. We headed back to our classrooms and took a break there after sending the boys off. It was close to 9.30 a.m. and most of the students had returned to school. Luckily, there were no casualties as those who could not run took their own sweet time to walk back to school.

The results of the cross country run were announced around 11am. We clapped like seals whenever our friends' name was announced and invited up the stage to receive their medals. The day ended smoothly and everyone was satisfied with the results. Even though I did not win anything, I wish I could take part in the next year's road run and at least, win something for my house.