BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The organising committee of Pusat Ehsan’s ‘The Run’ yesterday thanked the over 7,000 registered participants who have paid for their entry fees by the extended payment closing date of May 11 during a press conference held at Vanda Restaurant, Orchid Garden Hotel yesterday, Borneo Bulletin reported.
Senior Trustee and Chairman of Pusat Ehsan’s ‘The Run’, Dato Paduka Mohd Alimin Abd Wahab, said that in the interest of safety and security of the participants, the organisers were not able to extend further the payment deadline or to accept any more late-payers of the entry fees.
The tally of the number of runners for 21km is 311; 12km (open) is 1,552; 12km (Veteran) is 171; 5km (open) is 3,316 runners; 5km (Corporates) is 170; and 1,366 runners had signed up for the 2.5km (Fun Run).
“We are finalising the tally of participants in the Wheelchair (Paraplegic) and Special Needs categories. We are expecting the respective NGOs to return to us on these within this coming week. We believe the number will be similar to the last years, which was about 200,” noted the chairman.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the collection of ‘Running Kits’ for all participants will take place at the Indoor Stadium, not at the Multipurpose Hall as originally planned.
The times and dates for collection of these kits are still the same, that is from 9am to 9pm on June 6; 9am to 12noon and 2pm to 9pm on June 7; and 9am to 9pm on June 8.
Runners are requested to submit their donation cards at the collection centre when they collect their kits.
He also reminded that the donation cards from collectors and non-runners must be returned by May 31 with the bank deposit receipts to the designated outlets from where or whom they got the donation cards.
Lost donation cards, bank deposit receipts or money must be reported to the police and a copy of the Police Report must be provided to Pusat Ehsan.
The chairman further added that all the necessary preparations are work in progress, with individual “power meetings” were being held to fine tune and update our committee members and stakeholders describing that the next couple of weeks will be “intense work”.
“We are deeply indebted to the sponsors and donors for their continuing confidence and support in us. To the participants, thanks for your support. We shall always be grateful to the many volunteers from Sixth Form Centres and other walks of life. Without them, this charity effort will not be viable;” he said.
The day also saw a presentation of various drinks from the sponsors to the organising committee. TLT Enterprise sponsored 100 Plus Isotonic Drink, 8,000 cups and 350 cartons of Suci water (240m1). Super Water Marketing sponsored 7,000 bottles of RainFresh water. Cataleya sponsored 7,000 bottles of POKKA Isotonic Drink (250m1). Kingston Creamery and Beverages sponsored 250 cartons of REVIVE 7UP (330m1). Coffeebean & Tea Leaf sponsored 10 cartons of Jasmine Oolong flavoured drink and DST sponsored 500 cartons of mineral water.
Carrying the theme “The Run: Where Every Step Matters”, The Run will take off on Sunday, June 9, from the Indoor Stadium in Berakas.
Pusat Ehsan guides special needs individuals and nurtures them towards independence and inter-dependence to boost self-esteem, mental and physical development within the society and the charity run is expected to raise further awareness of the role and organisation of Pusat Ehsan.