They came before dawn.

Arriving in Freedom Square in the murky pre-morning light, hundreds of athletes stretched their legs and jogged on the spot as they prepared to challenge themselves and each other in a 10-kilometre race around the streets of South Sudan’s capital city.

The runners come from the ranks of the country’s various organized forces – the military, police, prison, fire-fighting and wildlife services. Wearing brightly-coloured vests indicating which unit they serve with, they are here to compete, but are also united by a desire to promote awareness of human rights and the need for peace in the conflict-affected country.

“The coming of organized forces together is an amazing thing to show that they are really working for peace,” said Deng William Alaak from the Voice for Peace, Protection and Development agency. “They are trying to champion human rights in this country. It is a great initiative that South Sudan should carry forward during the implementation of the peace agreement.”