OFF THEY GO: Participants of tHe Spring Live Active Run 2012 10km category starting their race. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: Some 1,600 participants of tHe Spring Live Active Run 2012 proved that people from all walks of life can be united for a common cause, which is charity.
The event attracted many local enthusiasts, as well as those from Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and as far Kenya and Japan who participated in three categories; the 21km half-marathon run, 10km half marathon run and 5km marathon run.
ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN: Children participating in the 100-metre run. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusisatisfied
tHe Spring Shopping Mall centre manager Christine Ling, when met by The Borneo Post, said tHe Spring Live Active Run 2012 was a very successful event and she hoped that all the participants were happy to be part of the event.
“This is the first time we organised such an event. There might be some weaknesses but we will do better next year.
We will definitely repeat this event and I hope that all the participants will continue to support this event,” she said.
KTS Projects Department manager Jeffrey Yeung, who was one of the participants in the 10km category said: “It was quite an enjoyable experience seeing people participating in such a good event.”
He hoped that Kuching would have more of such events in the future.
FOR CHARITY: Yeung (back row, second left) poses with KTS Holdings Sdn Bhd staff who took part in tHe Spring Live Active Run 2012.
Meanwhile, the winner of the 21km men’s category Satoshi Okano, when met by reporters after the event, praised tHe Spring Shopping Mall for organising the event that not only promoted healthy activities but raised fund for charity.
Okano, who participated in the run for the first time in Kuching, was glad that he could make it to the 21km run.
“I trained for two and three weeks before joining the run today.
The route is very challenging because there are many hilly roads that the participants have to go through,” he added.
The winner of the 10km men’s category Frederick Mathiu from Kenya said the event brought people together for charity besides promoting marathon running as a sport that helps people keep fit.
He said the route was very challenging and tough but the main motivating factor for him to give his best was the good weather.
The winner of women’s 21km category Ling Mee Eng, who represented her club in Maradong, said the event gave her the opportunity to know a lot of people.
“I would like to advise those who are interested in marathons to participate in competitions constantly.
From what I observed, people nowadays are scared of joining competitions to evaluate their standard,” Ling, who had more than 30 years of experience in marathons, said. As one of the most veteran marathon runners,
WE CARE: tHe Spring Advertising and Promotions manager Ronald Ling (left) presents a mock cheque to Persatuan Dialisis Cahaya Kuching president Hii Jui Ting. tHe Spring Live Active Run raised RM50,000 for the association. — Photo by Tan Song Wei
Lee Kim Hing from Miri said he was happy that he was able to participate in the run at the age of 61. “Initially my plan was to participate in marathons until the age of 60 but at the age of 61, I’m still fit enough to participate in the run today. I am very satisfied,” he added.
Lee, who has been actively participating in marathon runs for over 30 years, said he was satisfied because it was not easy for people at his age to maintain their stamina compared to their younger days.
OUR CONTRIBUTION: Mitsubishi Motors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Tetsuya Oda (centre) and chief operating officer Ali Mohamed (left) present their contribution to Persatuan Dialisis Cahaya Kuching received by its president Hii Jui Ting.
He congratulated tHe Spring Shopping Mall for organising such an event.
“The event organised was very good.
The organiser should organise more events like this in the future which is good for health,” he said. A special 100-metre run was also held for children during the event.
tHe Spring Live Active Run raised RM50,000 for Persatuan Dialisis Cahaya Kuching — a kidney dialysis centre aiming to provide cheap dialysis for kidney disease sufferers.
The platinum sponsor of the event Mitsubishi Motors together with its staff and distributors managed to raise an additional RM4,200 on their own accord.