The Indian Weekender, Friday 6 November 2020

The Indian Weekender Friday, November 6, 2020
NEW ZEALAND 11
Kiwi-Indian farm worker to run
marathon in support for farming community
RIZWAN MOHAMMAD
A
Kiwi Indian dairy farm
worker and a renowned
marathon runner has started
a fundraiser drive on Givealittle
intending to show support to farmers
and thank them for their hard work.
Harjinder Chander Singh, resident
of Outram, Dunedin has run in over
seven marathons, more than half a
dozen half marathons and several
Ultra marathons in the last few years.
The campaign Harjinder is driving
through participating in the three
forms of races ‘Thanks 2 Farmers’
aims to raise $1000, and the proceeds
will go through to the children of
Outram Primary school.
What makes this campaign unique
and, in the direction to support
the farmers, is that Harjinder will
complete three racing events in
overalls and gumboots, the uniform
of the farmers.
“Farmers wear overall and
gumboots when working on fields;
it’s a tough job and needs long hours
of dedication to produce and deliver
for people to consume.
In a way to support the cause, I
will be running in farmers’ uniform
so that it creates awareness and
educates the community about the
life and works of farmers, not just in
NZ but all over the world,” Harjinder
told The Indian Weekender.
As a part of the drive, Harjinder
has already completed the Three
Peaks Ultra-26 km Mountain Race
in Dunedin earlier in October,
and Balclutha half-marathon on
November 1 and will be participating
in the third and final event,
Queenstown International Marathon
on November 21.
Harjinder ranked number in the
Three Peaks Mountain Race and
stood 20th overall and 3rd in senior
men category (18-35yrs) in the
Balclutha half-marathon completing
the race in gumboots in 1 hour 49
mins and 18 seconds.
“Working on a dairy farm, I am
aware of what challenges rural
communities, and farmers face on
an ongoing basis such as volatile
weather, climate, debt & financing,
and regulation & perception etc.
“Rural communities and farmers
also have the highest suicide rate in
the country,” Harjinder added.
Harjinder has lived and worked in
the farming industry for eight years
now and has always strived to give
back to the community through
fundraisers and participating in
marathon events in and around the
country.
“Outram Primary School has
150 students from Year 1 to 8,
and most of the students are from
farming background, so I don’t
think any better way to say thanks
to the farmers for bringing
"Farmers
wear overall
and gumboots when
working on fields; it’s a
tough job and needs long
hours of dedication to
produce and deliver
for people to
food to our table
especially in this
pandemic time.
Harjinder’s
overall is
sponsored
by a local
internet
company, who
|consume."
have also paid
for his participation
fee for the races and gumboots
sponsored by another local firm in
Dunedin.
Harjinder says he works 40-45
hours every week and runs at least
60 to 70 km every week depending
on the weather.
An advocate of fitness and
running, Harjinder aims to inspire
his fellow Kiwi Indians, and young
Kiwis living in New Zealand to
pick running as an essential part of
their life as it’s the simplest form of
exercise and keep both the body and
mind fit.