Bandar Seri Begawan - Despite the gloomy weather yesterday morning, 1,400 students of Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Secondary School Mentiri (SMPDSM) took part in the annual cross-country race.

The students participated in six races according to their groups. The sport activity began with a mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah.

Hajah Monaliza Haji Abd Jalim, the school principal, said, "I am extremely happy and excited to see the number of students participating in the run today. This activity is part of our annual programme before the start of the first term school holiday". It is also held as a motivation for the students to be more active in sports activity and to lead a healthy lifestyle. The race kicked off after the air horn was sounded by the principal, who also participated in the cross-country run.

A prize presentation ceremony was held to award the winners of the race. To further enliven the celebration, there were also stalls selling various kinds of light refreshments made by the students as part of their Travel and Tourism activities.