Balinese participants I Wayan Sukarmen, 19, and his older brother Nyoman Rudiawan, 29, found it hard to put their feelings into words after competing in Maybank Bali Marathon (MBM) 2018 in Gianyar, Bali, on Sunday.

“I feel happy, proud and amazing all at once,” Sukarmen said in a post-race interview.

Just like in the two previous MBM events, the siblings, both of whom use wheelchairs, took part in the annual event’s 5 kilometer wheelchair race.

Adding to his brother’s statement, Rudiawan said it was their third time participating in the international race. “We’re very happy to have had the opportunity to compete,” he said.

Sukarmen and Rudiawan were born with osteogenesis imperfecta aka brittle bone disease — a rare genetic disorder that mainly affects the bones, causing them to be easily broken. It is an incurable disease, but maintaining a healthy lifestyle by exercising and not smoking can help to prevent fractures.

As true fighters, the brothers have been living actively by staying engaged in sports.

Sukarmen is an athlete of boccia — a Paralympic ball sport — while Rudiawan found his talent in rugby.

“We are not marathon athletes, but we are happy to be here,” said Sukarmen.

Despite not finishing in the top three in the event, the siblings said they were proud to show off the medals they received for finishing the race. “It’s a competition. We have to uphold sportsmanship. No disappointments at all,” said Rudiawan.

Another proud participant, Wayan Astaya, 46, said events like the MBM made him feel good. “We feel appreciated,” said three-time MBM competitor Astaya.

Sukarmen, Rudiawan and Artawa were among 52 people who competed in the 5K wheelchair category this year. The category has been featured at every MBM since its inception in 2012.

MBM 2018 race project director Eri Budiono said hosting the category alongside the usual marathon was part of Maybank Indonesia’s effort to sustain its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

“Every year, we provide the [wheelchair] participants a category in which to race,” said Eri, who is the bank’s global banking director.

Besides Bali, the CSR program has also targeted the Lombok community, which is dealing with the aftermath of earthquakes.

Maybank Indonesia donated Rp 350 million (US$23,517) to humanitarian groups Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) and Pos Keadilan Peduli Umat (PKPU) to help in rehabilitation efforts.

The bank also donated Rp 130 million to assist the Lombok victims through its sharia business unit, and Rp 50 million as a joint donation with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) was delivered to the West Nusa Tenggara provincial government on Aug. 13.

“We have carried out our sustainable CSR [program] Maybank Indonesia Berbagi since 2012, which is in line with our mission of humanizing financial services, whereby we would like to always be in the heart of the community.

“Our CSR program and Maybank Bali Marathon have been the result of a good partnership between Maybank Indonesia and Bali,” said Maybank Indonesia president director Taswin Zakaria.

Maybank Indonesia invited 4,500 students and 172 teachers to support this year’s MBM event by supporting the marathoners along the race route. It also donated educational and sporting equipment to 43 schools that are located along the route.

From Sept. 7 to 8, the bank displayed various items made by local artists under the Maybank Women Eco Weavers program as well as products made by disabled talents under the Reach, Independence and Sustainable Entrepreneurship (RISE) program.

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