NTRODUCTIONRun For The Nation or RunNat is a single morning running event that sees Christians praying as they run throughout selected areas in the city or town where the event is held. The Runners are grouped into teams of three and each Team is required to cover a 5km run of a preselected route passing by homes, schools, commercial areas, government buildings, religious sites and other places of interest. As the Team runs, one will lead in prayer while the other two will agree. With the aim to cover most grounds, the run is adopts the relay style by using Prayer Cards in replacement of batons.
GOING NATIONWIDE
RunNat 2009 will be a nationwide event involving all 14 state capitals in the country. The Prayer Run will be held simultaneously throughout the country with the guidance and leadership of each state’s RunNat Committee.
WHO CAN TAKE PART?
Anyone who professes Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour can take part in RunNat. Previous running experience is not required. However, training for the event is highly recommended for the Prayer Run to be effective.
THE PRAYER RUN
The run begins at 5am and ends at 10am in the morning. This 5-hour run covers a distance of 40km coverage. If a town or city requires more than 40km coverage, then the Teams will be divided into different Area Group with each Area Group covering 40km individually. The last Team will meet at the Hall (preselected finishing point) where all the other Runners who have ran will gather and wait for them.
THE HALL
After all the Teams have completed their run, they will gather at the Hall (which could be a church, school, community hall, etc). Everyone then adjourns into the Hall for a time of corporate prayer. Each participants will receive a certificate of participation followed by a time of fellowship over food upon the ending of the event. Event ends at 12pm.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE RUNNAT DAY?
Prior to the Prayer Run morning, all Runners should know where and when they are supposed to meet up to begin their run. The first Team meets up at 4:30am to 4:45am and gets ready to begin the Run. They will start off at 5:00am sharp, which signals the start of RunNat.
As the Run progresses, gradually the timeframe set will be off by 30 minutes or more. Thus, it is important for Team Managers to be in touch with one another to gauge the timing of the Meeting Point. It is advisable for the next Team to be ready fifteen minutes earlier at the designated Meeting Point to ensure that there will be no delays. The entire Run should end no later than 10:10am.
DURING THE RUN
There will be three Runners in a team. One of them will be carrying a Prayer Card that serves as a reference with related prayer pointers, another carries the Route Map that marks the paths ahead while the last one holds on to a Mobile Phone. It is important to ensure that your Team Manager is able to contact the mobile during the Run in case of emergencies.
As the Runners run, each of them will take turns to pray. As one prays, the teammates should agree with him/her. Runners should pray according to the prayer items written on the Prayer Card, the inhabitants of the buildings around them and any particular building landmark that represent a specific group of people. For example, the Parliament.
Upon arrival at the next Meeting Point, the Team will hand over the Prayer Card to the next Team who will then continue with another 5km stretch of the Run. The steps repeat until the last Team reaches the Finishing Line near the Hall.
A simple ceremony will be held to present each Runner with a Certificate of Participation. Refreshments will also be served. The RunNat event is expected to end by noon.
AFTER THE RUN
After running, the Teams are allowed to return home to freshen up if time permits. All Teams should meet and gather in the Hall at 10:00am to welcome the last Team. Everyone will then proceed into the Hall at 10:30am where a Corporate Prayer session will take place.
Meet you there!
