KUCHING – More than 2,000 participants took part in the ninth Ora Et Labora Run 2026, organised by the Old Josephians’ Association (OJA) at St Joseph’s School in Kuching on Saturday, 24 October, making it the largest turnout recorded for the event.
The annual run aimed to raise funds for the St Joseph’s Group of Schools, bringing together former students, current generations of Josephians and members of the wider community for a morning of physical activity and school fellowship.
Participants could choose from three routes covering 1.4km, 5km and 10km, with the first flag-off beginning at 6am. The different distances provided options for participants with varying levels of fitness and running experience.
The event also served as an opportunity for former students to return to their alma mater, reconnect with old classmates and meet Josephians from different generations. The gathering reflected the association’s role in maintaining links among alumni while supporting the school’s educational community.
Several prominent Josephians attended the event, including OJA president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Dato’ Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and Dato’ Sri Haji Ibrahim Baki. Their presence added to the gathering of alumni, supporters and friends associated with the school.
The event was organised ahead of a significant milestone for St Joseph’s School, Kuching, which will mark its 145th anniversary in 2027. The anniversary is expected to recognise the institution’s long-standing place in the city’s educational history and the generations of students who have passed through its classrooms.
The Ora Et Labora Run combines recreational activity with fundraising, allowing participants to support the school through a community event. While the organisers have not disclosed the total amount raised in the 2026 edition, the turnout of more than 2,000 people marked a new participation record for the run.
For the Old Josephians’ Association, the event also provides a platform for alumni engagement beyond formal school reunions. Activities that bring former students together can help maintain connections across age groups and encourage continued involvement in school-related initiatives.
The event’s three route options allowed participants to take part according to their preferred distance, making the morning accessible to a broad range of runners and walkers. The early start also enabled the programme to bring participants together before the day’s regular activities.
Organisers, volunteers and participants were congratulated for their contributions to the event. Their collective involvement helped deliver the latest edition of the run and support its fundraising objective for the St Joseph’s Group of Schools.
The phrase “Ora et Labora”, which means “Pray and Work”, reflects the school’s tradition and provided the theme for the gathering. For returning alumni, the run was also an occasion to revisit familiar surroundings, exchange memories and renew friendships formed during their school years.
With the school’s 145th anniversary approaching in 2027, the 2026 run brought together fundraising, fitness and alumni engagement in a single community event. The record attendance highlighted the continued interest in the annual gathering and the enduring connections between St Joseph’s School and its former students. â Sarawak Daily
