OFF YOU GO: The runners for the women section of the Sibu Merdeka Run are all smiles as they wait to be jointly flagged off by Second Finance Minister and Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh (fifth right) and Assistant Minister of Land development and Tourism Datuk Gramong Juna (fourth right). Also present were Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, his deputy Daniel Ngieng and Temenggong Vincent Lau. • More photos on Page 18
SIBU: Runners from Sibu Marathon Sports Club (SMSC) bagged the biggest medal haul at the Merdeka Run 2012 held at Sibu Town Square yesterday.
Leong Bee Voon from Kuching won the Men’s Open title and pocketed RM300 while SMSC runners, Wilson Junsan and Loh Leong Hua came in second and third respectively.
Wilson received RM250 and Loh RM200 respectively while those who finished fourth to the 20th placing each received RM100.
In Women’s Open, SMSC runners reigned supreme after Ho Siew Hua emerged champion followed by seasoned runners, Hii Yieng Ngiik and Eng Siew Jin.
They walked home with the cash prize of RM300, RM250 and RM200 respectively while those who finished fourth to the 20th placing each received RM100.
SMSC runners also stamped their mark in the Men’s veteran section after Kaliani Rajamanikon and Sia Pik Puang finished second and third placing respectively while Lee Kim Hing from Miri grabbed the title.
In Women’s veteran, SMSC runners also finished with a flourish after Ling Mee Eng and Choo Ngiik Hung came in first and second respectiveky.
Ling bagged the champion’s prize of RM300 and Choo received RM250 while PDRM’s Linda Ho Ming Lee received RM200 for finishing third.
The fourth to 20th winners each received RM100.
In the Boys’ under 18 category, Collymore Tang from SMK Sacred Heart took the champion’s title after edging Luat and Nyarvak Jinyon, both from SMK Kanowit who finished second and third spots.
In the Girls’ under 18 category, Pretty James from SMK Kanowit emerged champion while Dorlia Buni Mingau came in second and Cindy Sui finished third.
The top three winners in both sections received RM170, RM150 and RM100 respectively while the fourth to the 20th winners in the two categories also received RM50 each.
A total of 1,500 runners from throughout the state took part in the 5km Sibu Merdeka Run through Brooke Drive and Tun Haji Abang Open Road.
The event was held in conjunction with the State level Merdeka Day celebration in Sibu and was graced by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud who gave away the prizes to the winners.