KUCHING: Fifty runners from various running clubs in the city went on a trial run of the route for the upcoming Animazing Race last weekend.
The participants in last Saturday’s trial run posing for a group photograph.
The purpose of Saturday’s trial run was to earmark where to place direction signage, checkpoints and water stations. It was also to allocate the spots for traffic controllers, medical unit and safety and security personnel.
The runners were from Kuching Marathon Association, O-Run-Utan Running Club and City Joggers Club and began their run at 6am, according to a press statement.
Organised by technical director Tan Chung Siong of C.S.T Event Management Company, the trial run saw more than 20 runners covering the 5-km route while the rest covered the 10-km distance.
Starting from Borneo Convention Centre (BCCK), the runners took only one and-a-half hours to complete all the runs, which also ended at BCCK.
The landmark convention centre is the actual starting and ending points for the Animazing Race which will be held on Sept 28.
The Animazing Race is organised by the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and this year’s run is the second edition since it was introduced last year.
It statement said that as one of SSPCA’s fund-raising activities, the run is organised to inculcate a healthy lifestyle among the public. The event is managed by C.S.T Event Management Company and UCSI Communications Sdn Bhd.
Each runner is charged a registration fee of RM60 and all proceeds from the fees will be used for the upkeep of SSPCA’s animal shelter.
The Animazing Race is divided into categories of 10km men, 10km women, 5km veteran men, 5km veteran women and 5km open (fun run) and offers attractive prizes which include cash for the winners.
In the 10km men and women categories, the first prize winners will receive RM300 each, second RM200 each and third RM100 each. The fourth to tenth prize winners will receive RM50 each in both categories. There are also finishing medals for the first 50 runners in the 10km runs.
The top three winners in the 10km men and women categories will also have the golden opportunity to compete at the prestigious Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) which will be held on Nov 16 in Penang.
The slots to race in PBIM is sponsored by the Penang State Tourism Development and Culture Office, where the top winners can choose to race in either 10km or half marathon (21km) race.
In the 5km veteran men, 5km veteran women and 5km open (fun run) categories, the top three winners will receive RM200, RM140 and RM70 respectively each. Finishing medals will also be given to the top 30 runners in all three 5km categories.
The 10km run is open to those from 16 years and above while the veteran categories are for those 45 years and above. The fun run is for those 13 years and above.
Runners will also have the opportunity to win attractive lucky draw prizes as well as prizes for best costume. They are encouraged to come in animal-theme attire or costume. Prizes include two pairs of ‘Brooks’ sports shoes worth RM399 each, free hotel stay and lunch and dinner vouchers at star-rated hotels in the city.
SSPCA is targeting to attract 1,000 runners and it has extended the closing date to Sept 15, to allow more runners to register for the race.
All runners registered for the race will also receive one T-shirt, one ticket to the WAG Music Festival to be held on Oct 25 and other gifts.
Entry form for the run is available at www.animazingrace.com, UCSI Communications Sdn Bhd office at Setia Commercial Centre (082-368109) and customer service counter at Plaza Merdeka.