Valtteri Bottas (second right) hands over orchids to participants. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Over 6,500 runners and cyclists took part in the Orchid Run and Ride 2017 held at Persiaran KLCC here yesterday, raising over RM340,000 for charity.
Entering its third edition this year, the event surpassed its targeted collection of RM250,000 set by the organisers, the Association of Wives and Women Staff of Petronas (Petronita) and Petronas .
Petronita president, Puan Sri Dr Azura Ahmad Tajudin said the fund would enable the association to add a mobile dental clinic for special needs children, a project by the Dental Faculty of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), to its list of beneficiaries.
The other beneficiaries include the Paediatric & Congenital Heart Centre of the National Heart Institute (IJN), Institut Telinga Pendengaran dan Pertuturan (Intitute-HEARS) and the Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor & Federal Territory.
“Through the Orchid Run & Ride this year, we wish to drive the message of ‘making each step matter’ to remind everyone that little goes a long way and that together we can help the less fortune, while at the same time promoting a healthy lifestyle,” she said when met after the event.
Earlier, Azura presented the event’s proceeds to the representatives of the four bodies and witnessed by Petronas president and Group CEO, Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.
The event was also enlivened by the presence of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team and its driver, Valtteri Bottas, who also took part in the run.
The run which was divided into two main categories, namely category A – 12km for the men and women’s open (16 years old and above) – and two sub categories under category B – 5km Fun Run, open to children aged seven years and above and 5km Fun Ride, open to those aged 12 years and above – began as early as 6.30am.
“This year, the response has been very encouraging with oversubscribed registration in advance for all categories,” Azura said.
One of the participants, Elaini Abdul Khalid, 46, said she took part in the run with three of her family members just for fun.
“This is my first time joining the Orchid Run & Ride and it feels so amazing as I could run with the other participants and enjoying it,” she said. — Bernama
Another participant, Muhd Najmi Haziq Mohamad, 16, from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Grace Hill, Gombak who joined the run with five friends, said: “Running is not only good for health but it can also be for a good cause.” — Bernama