Running is one of the world’s oldest sports. It is also the most simple to partake in. All you really need is a good pair of shoes and a positive attitude, and you’re good to go!

Kuwait has been labeled as the 5th fattest nation in the world and it is high time someone took a positive step against the lethargic lifestyle that seems to plague today’s populace as a result of overindulgence in technology.

So just who are the Q8FootSoldiers?

The idea was to provide an environment for any and all persons wishing to inject a dose of activity into their lives. It took on more form when I realized that there are few groups that cater to people’s sporting ambitions without charging them! I mean, asking people to pay to run in the streets, what is up with that?

On a typical Friday morning, you are bound to find a group of runners that congregate by the fountain near Marina Crescent. Advocates of “the way of the foot”, the group is based on the core concept that fitness is a lifestyle, and not an exercise. That is the mentality echoed within the group known as Q8Footsoldiers, my brain child. That being said, there is no “I” in team, as each person forms an integral part of the whole, contributing to the synergy that is teamwork. Between us we have covered distances of thousands of miles, and each newcomer is exposed to this tapestry of accomplishment, learning what they need to better themselves.

Our greatest accomplishment is aiding a member kick her cigarettes to the curb, as well as coming in first and second place at the Radisson Blu 3K Fun Run last March!

Metaphorically speaking, we are not a running group. We do not teach people to run. We teach people discipline. It takes a lot of discipline and commitment to wake up early on a Friday morning when most are probably just about to call it a night after staying up to enjoy their weekend. It takes an enormous amount of effort to crawl out of bed and proceed to join a group of other like-minded individuals for a task that seems daunting at first, but proves to be extremely rewarding in the end (whereas most of our members drive to Marina Crescent, I am too lazy to get in my car, so I run from home, a distance of roughly 6KM!). If you can muster up the resolve to do that on a weekend, there is no stopping you from attaining any other goal. In essence, the group is meant to inspire self-motivation, and that is the key to leading a harmonious life. If people can make commitments to meet up for coffee, lunch or dinner, then meeting up to better their bodies is definitely within reach!

Of course there are several other benefits to running early morning. It leaves you with that buzz of self-accomplishment properly dubbed “runner’s high”, and it kick-starts your metabolism early in the morning, turning you into a calorie burning machine. It leaves the rest of the day open for activity, as a result of proper time management and being out before the crowd. Most importantly, it gives you discipline.

The runners of Kuwait are solidifying their presence as a new tier in society. With every passing day and ever path crossed, familiarity is engrained within its members, easily recognizing each other. I never tire of the label “Gangnam Runner” as a result of an impromptu jig done on stage after the last Charity Run Half Marathon!

Our motto is, “We may not be perfect, however practice makes perfect!” Hence you can always find us out by Marina Crescent on a Friday morning at 7:30am, regardless of the weather — whether it be dusty, foggy, rain or sun — nothing may get in the way of our run!

For more information visit: www.facebook.com/Q8FootSoldiers.