Meet our Gold Coast Marathon favourites
(Credit: Shairon Paterson)
Eight keen Papua New Guinean runners, along with two Salvation Army officers, are getting set to compete in July’s Gold Coast Marathon.
The resilient runners are being mentored by personnel from the Australia Eastern Territory, including Commissioner James Condon, Lt Colonel David Godkin and Aged Care Plus CEO Sharon Callister. All of the mentors will be competing in the marathon also.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll meet the runners from Papua New Guinea and hear their stories.
Teggy Gomara – will be bringing it all back home
Nineteen-year-old Teggy, who likes to play soccer and netball, hopes to be able to represent her country one day, and pass on her skills to those younger than her. But for now, she is thankful for the opportunity to run in the Gold Coast marathon.
“I am grateful to God because He has allowed me to accept this challenge and He will help me accomplish it.”
“I hope that after taking part in the marathon, I will never give up in any race and that I will face all challenges, including my Christian life. I may fall down, but I will still complete my journey.”
Teggy will also be staying on in Australia after the marathon to attend the Equip QPAS camp on the Sunshine Coast. She hopes to learn as much as she can so that she can take all that information back home with her to give back to her church and the youth.
“They’re both a whole new experience in my life.”
Philip Murry – hopes to better his community
Philip, a 29-year-old Salvationist, loves running, and one day hopes to represent his country playing rugby league. While Philip didn’t attend high school, he hopes to study community development, with an emphasis on children’s services.
In the lead up to the marathon, Philip’s mentors from the Australia Eastern Territory have been a wonderful support to him.
”My mentors have shared with me a great example of how running can relate to my Christian life. Life is a long journey, like running a marathon,” says Philip.
There are always situations, tensions and hard times. But we must never give up and we have to keep on pushing towards the destination.
“They encourage me to keep on pushing when going towards the finish line and they tell me to never give up, but to focus and reach the destination.”
“We must not forget that God must be a mentor to my life first.”
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