Khalid and Nurhain show their finisher medals as they pose with their children. — Photo by Galileo Petingi
KUCHING: Having kids serve no obstacle for Nor Khalid Abdul Rahman and wife Nurhain Abu Bakar from Sibu to run Kuching Marathon 2019. In fact, it was more fun as they brought their two kids along.
Khalid, 32, reasoned that most parents might not take part even if they wish to because they have to tend to their children.
“As such, my wife and I would like to send a message to the public that tending to their children is not an excuse for them to not participate in the Kuching Marathon,” he said when met by The Borneo Post yesterday.
Adding on, Khalid assured that their children’s safety was their main priority as they brought their children along during the run with strollers. The couple also ensured that they only took the side of the road as they pushed the strollers.
“Our children have been trained to use the strollers. At home, we have 6 strollers that are designed for joggers who wanted to bring their kids along for runs. They are also designed to cover long distances.
“In light of the haze that currently hit the state, we have prepared face masks for them. Since it is raining today, both strollers were equipped with transparent plastic canopies to shield them from the rain,” he added.
Aside from that, they also provided vitamin supplements for their children in preparation for the event.
“Of course, if one of our children get sick we would not bring them along in the first place,” Khalid stressed.
Khalid participated in the 21km Half Marathon with their six-year-old son while Nurhain, 33, ran the 5km Fun Run with their two-year-old daughter.
It was Khalid’s first try in the Kuching Marathon although he had completed two other half marathons.
“During last week’s IEM Engineer’s Run, I brought along my daughter. For today’s half-marathon run, I brought my son.
“I aimed to finish the run in less than three hours but due to the rain (and) with participants crowding the path, my progress was slowed and I managed to finish in three hours.”
The husband wife also revealed they will bring along their children again to future marathon events including the upcoming Unimas Ultra 8 to 8 run this October.
He will be running in Category 2 in which he has to complete 6 rounds in a 5km path to reach the minimum distance of 30km.
Meanwhile, Nurhain said that she was excited to join this year’s Kuching Marathon which served as a form of weekend family activity.
“My husband and I are working, so this event today serve as an opportunity for us to spend quality time with our children and at the same time enjoying the event,” she explained. It was also her first time participating in the Kuching Marathon.
“Since I am still new in my participation with marathon events, normally I would take the 3km-5km run and not more than that.”
Both Khalid and Nurhain have every intention to be back for next year’s Kuching Marathon.