Principal Paul Jefferies
met his own 10k challenge
By Paul Jefferies
We finished last term at Bishop McAllister College very well, with the Principal’s 10km Challenge being the climax. I’m happy and very excited to report that my own challenge didn’t defeat me. About 26 students had taken up the challenge and had spent the term training for the race. I would often meet them early in the morning running out along the highway; a few with sneakers, but most were wearing flip flops, shoes or running in their bare feet. But no one minded or complained, all were very enthusiastic about the challenge.
The big day arrived on Nov. 29. My favorite photos of course are the
ones which show me keeping up with the students, when actually they are passing me, and most likely not for the first time. (Look carefully at the photo, Paul is the third figure.) Everyone had fun; all completed the challenge successfully, including yours truly in just under 46 minutes.
Now it was time to prepare for the real thing. Five students traveled with me to Kampala to run in the annual Kampala Marathon (10km). It was pretty exciting trip for these students, and even for me. Out of the five students, only one had been to the city before. So there was much anticipation. On December 9 we joined a crowd of more than 6,000 people who began to gather at 6 a.m. for the 10 km marathon. We all did well!
Unfortunately one of our students who ran exceptionally well, finishing in the top 11 with the professionals, was disqualified, as he had lost his computer chip some where along the route. A bit down and discouraged he is already talking about next year. As a result our best student finished in the 116 position (37.20 min), and for me I finished 879 (53.02 min). I’m pleased with that result.
The Rev. Canon Paul Jefferies is a missionary priest from this diocese. He is principal of a growing, co-educational institution in Uganda.
