at the center of attention as they smiled and posed for photos.

The boys and their coach have since become celebrities, represented by the 13 Tham Luang Co. Ltd ., which Thailand's government helped establish to look after their interests.

Netflix has acquired the rights to their story.

"I want to thank everybody who has put so much effort and sacrifices to save all of us," said Ekapol Chantawong, a former Wild Boars team coach. He stood in front of the bronze statue of Lieutenant Commander Saman Gunan, a Thai navy SEAL who lost his life rescuing the trapped boys.

Abbot Prayutjetiyanukarn, a monk in the local neighborhood who interacts with the team every week, told The Associated Press that some of the boys were wary of the media and try toavoid the press whenever they can.

"But they are fine, both physically and spiritually, there's nothing to worry about," he said.

Last year's sensational rescue was initially led only by Thailand's navy SEALs but the task proved extremely difficult. They turned to international rescuers and cave explorers, and crucially, cave diving experts who located the boys and coach before bringing them out July 10, 2018.

The operation required placing oxygen canisters along the path where the divers maneuvered dark, tight and twisting passageways filled with muddy waters and strong currents.

Many local and foreign rescuers returned for Sunday's run.

"Not many children could have survived the way they did, so we have to respect them for that," said Vernon Unsworth, a British diver whose advice and experience were crucial to the rescue operation.

"What