SIBU: More than 1,200 runners from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, China, India and other countries will feel the heartbeat of Sibu’s rainforests in the 10th Malaysia Nash Hash Run this Saturday.
This is the first time the biannual national event is held in Sarawak, the forest run hosted by Sibu Hash House Harriers Club.
Organising chairwoman Annie Law said there would be four categories in the grand event: Ball Breaker Run, Long Run, Medium Run and Short Run.
“The four events will begin at scenic Yu Long Shan Tian En Temple – one of the most spectacular temples in Southeast Asia housing the spiritual belief of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. We hope runners will not only appreciate the lush forests in the backyard of Sibu, but also the tourism hotspot of the temple.”
Law said the runners had registered for the event and were ready for the run.
They will also host another event — a sort of a warm-up — to raise funds for the kidney dialysis centre of St John’s Ambulance.
“Dubbed Red Dress Charity Run, runners will go around town clad in red sarongs. The event beginning at 2pm is also hosted in line with our club’s 20th anniversary.”
She said the club still accepted registration at Kingwood Hotel on Thursday and Friday.
They would only accept 500 runners, and runners must pay a registration fee of RM50 to be donated to St John’s Ambulance.
Runners would each receive a red sarong on registration, and the Friday afternoon run would begin at Kingwood Hotel.
Law said to promote goodwill among the runners from the region, they would host two dinners after each event.
The first dinner will be held after the Red Dress Run at Kingwood Hotel at 8pm.
“This is also our welcoming and cultural night. It will be followed by a disco after the dinner at 10.”
The second dinner will be held after the national run at the Trade and Exhibition Hall at Rajang Port Authority on Saturday.
“Beginning at 8pm, both Muslim and Chinese cuisine will be served at the dinner.”
On the Muslim menu are nasi lemak, pulut pangang Kak Noor, fruit rojak, chicken curry rice, satay, grilled chicken wings, fried chicken wings, fried banana, spicy fried bee hoon and roti canai.
On the Chinese menu are steamed chicken rice, deep fried chicken rice served with salad cream, bee hoon cooked in chicken soup with Foochow red wine, herbal pig trotter soup, kampua noodles, Foochow fried noodles, Sarawak laksa, sweet potato and groundnut soup and tropical fruits.