LAHORE, Jan 14: The five kilometres long family fun run was enjoyed by most of the children. There were some who became weary by the delayed start.

Haseeb, Shahmeer, Amish and Amanullah realised after running some 100 metres or so that they would not make it.

“I will participate after with full preparation next year,” vowed class IV student Haseeb who had made his parents to get the family registered for the race.

In full athlete gear, Shahmeer and Amish of Class III demanded there should be a separate race for children and its length should not be more than the football ground near their homes in Model Town.

Amanullah and Nayyab were angry over the starting time of the race. “We have been asked to come here at eight in the morning and the race started at noon.

Similarly, prep class student Aimmah was too tired before the start of the event because of the delay. She rather left the venue with her mother.

Mehrru had no intention to participate in the race right from the moment the family decided to take part in the race. “I am wearing glasses because there is a chill in the air. Main toa waisay bhe fashion karnay aaie hoon,” said the playgroup student.

Schoolchildren and their teachers kept two enclosures of the Punjab Stadium packed to the capacity during the opening and closing ceremonies.

Students of the Divisional Public School were asked to reach the Model Town and Township campuses at 6.30am while those studying in the City District Government of Lahore campuses were called half-an-hour earlier along with their teachers.

After the roll call at their campuses, they were brought near the venue of the event in 35 buses at around 7.30am where attendance of their teachers was also marked.

“We have been made to sit for over three hours and not permitted to even bring water. The policemen hardly allowed anyone to go to the washroom till around 11am when vendors appeared with water and other eatables, which were too costly,” a number of students told this reporter.

The students were given a free hand after President Pervez Musharraf left the stadium after inaugurating the 42 km event. Afterwards, they started throwing water bottles, leftover of kinnows and bananas on the track and on the people standing on the ground.

Participants in the 10 km event besides many students managed to reach near the stage where singer Najam Shiraz was performing.

ASP Jahanzeb took the stage from comperes Faisal Qureshi and Natasha when some youth started performing bhangra. “All the policemen present here have not come as spectators. They should remove the people from the ground,” the ASP directed his subordinates who resorted to baton charge on youths dancing to the tune of Najam’s song.

Mariyam, 10, got a big hand from the spectators when she walked on seven feet high sticks and showed her skills on the hoops.

Unlike the first two editions, a few prominent figures of the city turned up to take part in the fun race.

In the past, Lahore Nazim Mian Aamir Mahmood, various provincial ministers and personalities belonging to the film industry had shown interest in the event.

Former governor Shahid Hamid was the only prominent figure seen in the fun race. Shahid said that such events should be held but without causing any inconvenience to the public.

PCB chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf took part in the 10kilometre race.

The chief minister, provincial ministers and senior officials preferred to move by cars with full protocol.