PNG Salvos Striders make marathon history on makeshift ‘home’ course
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
BY SIMONE WORTHING
When Team GABIDADAMA gathered in the dark at The Salvation Army’s Papua New Guinea Territorial Headquarters in Boroko at 3am last Saturday (25 July), the runners, their mentors and supporters were ready.
Their hard work and resilience paid off. Seven first-time marathon runners crossed the finish line in impressive times ranging from 3 hours 38 minutes to 4 hours 35 minutes. An eighth teammate, Bala, was unable to run after a family tragedy.
The term GABIDADAMA is a specific team name and rallying cry used by The Salvation Army in Papua New Guinea for its distance runners, representing resilience, faith in action, and community encouragement.
The PNG team of 10 young runners had been training and preparing to participate in the Gold Coast Marathon on Sunday 5 July as part of the Hope and a Future program, but only two were granted visas to come to Australia for the event.
Head Coach Bill Hunter, Territorial Envoy, and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Territorial Commander and co-founder of the Hope and a Future program, decided that, regardless, every runner would complete a marathon (42.2km) and chose a different finish line for the entire team.
The runners began the marathon at 3am to avoid the worst of the heat and humidity.
For the first time in the history of the PNG Salvos Striders, Team GABIDADAMA completed a full marathon on home soil, becoming the first team in the program's history to conquer the 42.2km distance in Papua New Guinea.
The runners and their PNG and Australian mentors were encouraged and cheered on throughout the run – much of which was done in the dark in the early hours of the morning to avoid the worst heat and humidity – by more than 100 supporters lining the course.
Local Salvation Army corps made signs, ran parts of the marathon alongside the runners, staffed aid stations and cheered from vehicles, while a police escort provided security. The runners started at Boroko and then completed three laps around Ela Beach to make up the distance.
Supporters encouraged the runners along the route of the marathon.
Hohola Corps youth created the start and finish line, and 25 former Hope and Future marathon runners also returned to support the team. The finish at Boroko erupted with music, dancing and celebrations led by Territorial Leaders Colonels Chris and Tilitah Goa.
Coach Bill Hunter said the marathon was the culmination of months of perseverance through disappointment and personal hardship.
“We’ve been so impressed with your leadership, your growth, your perseverance and your dedication to the training,” he told the team after the race. “After all the changes to the schedule and the delay, you still ran incredibly well. I think it's the fastest we’ve ever finished a group.”
The team and their supporters celebrated in style as all the runners completed the marathon in excellent time.
During a moving debrief over lunch, many runners reflected on the challenges of the past year, including the disappointment of missing the opportunity to travel to Australia and other personal struggles they had faced.
“Those six months of training were not wasted,” one runner said. “Though we didn’t go, we have faith that something will happen for us. We just ran 42 kilometres this morning. I want to thank God and thank you for the blessings you provided for us.”
Another reflected on how the team had carried one another through the setbacks.
“This year was a tough year, but we overcame everything. We all cooperated together, smiled together and encouraged each other.”
For one runner, completing the marathon marked the end of months of uncertainty.
“The time where I was supposed to visit Australia was gone. I wasn’t okay with that. Now I’m okay because I finished the run in PNG.”
Another admitted there had been times when quitting seemed easier.
“Everyone knows I was the one saying I wanted to give up,” they said. “But today I’m proud of myself and proud of everyone who supported me. Even though we couldn’t make it to Brisbane, at least we fulfilled our dream today.”
To watch the video of the marathon, click on the arrow below.
Mentor Michelle Watts (Creative Director – Salvos Studios) reminded the team that the marathon was only one chapter in a much bigger story.
“I think this year is a good reflection of life,” she said. “You’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but you’ve stuck together. You’ve shown perseverance, encouragement and joy. Australia felt like the big goal, but it’s not the pinnacle. God has so many amazing plans for you. This is just one step.”
Michelle also reflected that, “Seeing the young people being supported by their own friends, family, past program participants, Salvation Army leaders was just incredible. The love and support they have for one another is powerful.”
The event was made possible through the support of the PNG and Solomon Islands Territory, including Colonels Chris and Tilitah Goa, Captains John and Rose Raga, Alyshia Van Kannel, Bill Hunter, mentors Michelle Watts and Sharon Callister, and support crew Eric Parlato and Kayla O’Brien Parlato.
Reflecting after the marathon, Bill paid tribute to everyone who helped make the historic day possible.
“I couldn’t have done it without these amazing friends of mine,” he said. “Sharon Callister and Michelle Watts are absolute marathon mentor legends who got our team through despite everything thrown at them. Eric and Kayla helped in so many ways. The marathon doesn’t happen without these guys – and, of course, so many of our PNG friends. Thanks, PNG. It’s been a blast.”
