Among the participants were HRH Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and HRH Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah.

Also in attendance were YAM Pengiran Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolqiah with her siblings YAM Pengiran Anak Hariisah Widadul Bolqiah and YAM Pengiran Anak ‘Abdul Raqiib.

Also taking part were YAM Pg Muda Abdul Mu’min and YAM Pg Anak Khaliilah Khalilatul Bolqiah.

The guest of honour who sounded off the horn in the Brunei-Muara District was the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awang Abu Bakar bin Hj Apong.

Also present were the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Hazair bin Hj Abdullah; the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Datin Paduka Hajah Adina binti Othman; and Deputy Minister of Education, Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Yusoff bin Hj Ismail.

The National Day Run was aimed at commemorating the 29th National Day that came with the theme “Negaraku Brunei Darussalam” or “Brunei Darussalam My Country”. It was also aimed at strengthening the ties and interaction among the youths and many stakeholders in the country.

The turnout of this year’s National Day Run was bigger than last year as the 2012 run saw only around 1,300 runners.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in an interview on the sidelines of the National Day Run said, “I am overwhelmed and touched by the huge number of participants. Throughout the country, there were more than 11,000 participants. The number was so much bigger than last year.”

He added, “I am really happy to see so many young people participating in the run to celebrate the National Day which showed their appreciation for the country. Running has become popular and a growing number of Bruneians are running towards a healthy lifestyle.”

He also expressed his appreciation for the support of HRH Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel and HRH Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah by joining in the run.

The National Day Run, he said, “is also in line with Asean Sport Industry Year as Brunei is the chair of Asean Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council this year. Through sport, we can unite people and sport can also develop better understanding as well as contribute to peace and stability”.

The National Day Run 2013 which took place simultaneously in all four districts saw Belait having 1,074 participants while Tutong had 1,728 participants. In Temburong, some 390 participants took part in the run.

The guest of honour who flagged off the run in Belait was the Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Mohd Yusof.

While in Tutong it was the Minister of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awang Hj Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar was the guest of honour in the Temburong District. - Borneo Bulletin (29 April 2013)