Shida Shines at Kids of Africa Runs: A 5km Victory and a Testament to Versatility

In an impressive display of athletic prowess, Shida clinched victory in the 5km race at the Kids of Africa Runs held yesterday at the Kids Pioneer Primary School in Bugiri/Kisubi, Entebbe.

This event, themed “Running for Sanitation for the Girl Child,” highlighted the importance of sanitation and featured a particular focus on reusable sanitary pads.

Shida, a sprinter known for specialising in the 400m and 200m, has demonstrated remarkable versatility by winning the 5km race with an astounding margin of 6 minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.

This marks her second 5km win in just two weeks; her previous triumph came at the Arua Rotary Cancer Run on August 25.

Despite her expertise in shorter distances, Shida’s performance in the 5km race is a testament to her adaptability and commitment to “Total Running”—a concept that encompasses competing across various distances from 100m to a half marathon (21km).

Her recent victories underscore her ability to excel beyond her usual sprinting events.

Shida’s success on the track results from over a decade of dedicated training under the guidance of her coaches, Kevin and Sue O’Connor. The O’Connors have been instrumental in Shida’s development, helping her achieve national records in the 400m and 200m.

Her impressive resume includes participation in the Olympics, World Championships, and three Commonwealth Games, with a notable silver medal at the World University Games.

The coming year promises to be an exciting one for Shida, with significant events on her calendar. She will be competing in the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from September 13-21, 2025.

The latter will see her compete alongside over 2,000 athletes from approximately 200 countries, marking a major highlight of her career.

Shida’s achievements are also supported by her commitment to rigorous weight-training, which has been facilitated by the Silver Springs Hotel.

The hotel has generously provided her with complimentary access to its Espace gym and swimming pool, essential resources that have contributed to her strength and recovery from injuries.

With her remarkable versatility and unwavering dedication, Shida continues to set the bar high in the world of athletics.

Her achievements are a testament to her hard work, her supportive coaching team, and the invaluable resources provided by her sponsors.