Jacobs Run 2009 for Amnesty

For the third time in a row Jacobs University proudly displayed another feature of its rich diversity as people from across the globe came together to open the floodgates of the annual Jacobs Run.

In fact, after the previous two years, the event has established itself as a lure not only for the highly international faculty and student body, but also for a large number of external participants.

Regardless of whether the runners’ ambitions were competitive or aimed at personal accomplishment, the broad spectre of the Jacobs Run catered to most preferences.

This year three different categories were offered: the 400 m Bambini-Run (for children up to 6 years), plus a 5,000 m and a 10,000 m race.

This year’s winners in these categories were: The Bambini Run was won by Lillie Schupp, whereas Krupp College’s Hamza Mudesir reached 13th place, since he went back to help his friends. In the 5km race, the male category was won by Thorsten Naue (LG Bremen Nord), whereas the best femael was our very own Fakja Hofmann (Jacobs Athletics Club). The Jacobs Athletics Club was also the best team in the 5km run. The 10km male category was won by Frank Themsen (LG Bremen Nord); the female category by Rebecka Weise-Jung (LG Bremen Nord), the team winner of the 10km race was LG Bremen Nord.

More than just athletics and racing were served by this run, but charity too. The proceeds from the Run went to SOLWODI, an NGO that helps women who have become victims of trafficking, forced prostitution and violence. They were founded in Kenya but now operate internationally, with several support centers located in Germany. This charity was selected by Jacobs University's Amnesty International Club, who held an awareness events simultaneous to the run, giving the day an even grearter impact of bringing the communities on and around Jacobs togehter in the name of sport and good will. Read College Master Klaus Schoemann's report on the Amnesty event to learn more.

This large-scale arrangement would not have been possible without support from the Jacobs Run's sponsors Krupp College, Aramark, Gesundheitshaus Grohn, Jacobs University, and the Graduate Student Association as well as the numerous volunteers, who all own a considerable share of the ongoing development of this event. Special thanks go to René Wells, Abdu and Fakja, Patrice and the Krupp Team for their fantastic organizing skills, and especially Sebastian Blümmert for his amazing performance at the microphone as the race announcer! All in all, without exaggeration, the Jacobs Run can be pointed out as one of the most memorable campus events for runners, spectators and contributors alike!