News: Run for a Reason in the Standard Chartered KL Marathon on 24 June

Kuala Lumpur, 27 February 2012 – Kuala Lumpur’s most anticipated running event, the Standard Chartered Kuala Lumpur Marathon 2012 was officially launched today at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. This year’s Marathon, which will be held at Dataran Merdeka on 24 June 2012, expects 27,000 participants from more than 45 countries around the world.

To date, the iconic event has recorded almost 10,000 registrations in less than four weeks, since it opened for registration on 1 Feb. This is a 35% progress growth against the same period back in 2011.

Never one to rest on its laurels, this year’s Marathon now offers 10 running categories available to the general public to encourage participation. The two new categories to join the full-board spectrum is the Universities Challenge that will be open to all university and college students in Malaysia.

Following the success of the pilot stage of the MSIG Ekiden Race in 2010, MSIG Ekiden is now an official category open for public participation. The other categories are the Full Marathon, Honda Half Marathon, 10 km, 5 km, Corporate Challenge, and Kids’ Dash 2.5 km and 700m.

The prize package offered for Standard Chartered KL Marathon remains the highest amongst all marathons in Malaysia, with the prize package now increased to a total of USD 112,330. A new attraction this year will introduce special bonuses for top-finishing Malaysian participants as well as route records broken.

For the Full Marathon category, a bonus of USD 2,500 will be up for grabs. Additionally, Malaysians will be able to enjoy this bonus as well, as USD 1,500 is offered in the Malaysian Full Marathon category and USD 1,000 for the Malaysian Honda Half Marathoners respectively.

This year, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon’s theme is “Run for a Reason”, a theme that is synonymous with Standard Chartered Marathons around the world.

Everyone has a different reason for running – be it for their individual passions, commitments and dreams. This year, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon is more than proud to support these reasons to the fullest.

Officiated by the Minister of Youth and Sports Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, the event brought together the Marathon’s title sponsor, Osman Morad, Managing Director & CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad and Marathon co-organiser Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events Sdn Bhd.

In his officiating speech, the Minister of Youth And Sports Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said, “The Standard Chartered KL Marathon supports and plays a vital role in aiding the Ministry of Youth and Sports in developing a society that is healthy, energetic and one that adopts sports as a culture, towards the nation’s unity and development. With the marathon returning for a fourth successive year and staying until 2015, we encourage all runners to participate in this truly iconic sporting event”.

Osman Morad, Managing Director and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad, the title sponsor added, “Run for a Reason epitomises the essence of the Marathon, and the strength, diversity and values that makes this Marathon special.

Each person has a special reason – be it for health; bonding time with family or friends; running to raise funds for a special charity cause close to their hearts; or simply, running for the love of the sport. Each runner is running for a reason close to their hearts, and we are happy to be part of their passion and enthusiasm by hosting this event.”

Highlighting the growth of the run, Rainer Biemans, Director of Dirigo Events Sdn Bhd, co-organiser of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012 said, “Though the Standard Chartered KL Marathon has been here for only three years now, it has certainly grown exponentially and does not show any signs of slowing down. Feedback from the running community has indicated the significance of the KL marathon, and we wish for it to stay that way. We are proud and excited with the success of the marathon thus far, as this showcases its true potential to become one of Asia’s largest running events in years to come.”

From a modest beginning of only 13,500 runners from inception in 2009, the Standard Chartered KL Marathon has significantly grown by over 60% with approximately 22,000 runners taking part last year.

Additionally, Dirigo Events Sdn Bhd, co-organiser of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012 will be organising pre-race activities over the months leading up to race day, that participants can take part in. These continuous extensive pre-race activities are organised four months ahead prior to race day, providing participants with a platform to effectively train for their categories. These activities include the complimentary Zero to Hero training circuits and running clinics that will benefit the participants, as they will be able to gain valuable Marathon tips and training techniques from trained professionals.

Besides running events, an exciting element called the “Run for a Reason Fun Movement” has been added to the Standard Chartered KL Marathon agenda. The Fun Movement, which will be held ahead of the race day, is a fun social get-together with Standard Chartered staff and the general public coming to participate in a shared experience involving cheerful music and comical movements. Look out for more details via the SCKLM Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012 will continue to focus on charitable initiatives through “Run for a Cause”, by partnering The National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), Malaysian National Animal Welfare Foundation (MNAWF), Ecoknights and The Standard Chartered Trust Fund. It is through this partnership, that the Marathon will be able to aid the less fortunate across all ages and races living in Malaysia.

Also attending the launch event was co-organiser Yang Mulia Tuan Idzawi bin Raja Ismail, Director of Culture, Arts and Sports of DBKL and Jennifer Hsu, Executive Vice President of MSIG Insurance (Malaysia) Bhd, Gold Sponsor of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon.

Honda also joins the Standard Chartered KL Marathon as a Gold Sponsor. Official partners of the event include 100Plus, Titan, New Balance, DoubleTree by Hilton and NTV7.

More information about the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2012 can be obtained by logging on to www.kl-marathon.com. Alternatively, you can follow us on our Facebook page - Standard Chartered KL Marathon.

Source: Press Release for Standard Chartered KL Marathon

First Look: MMU TKD Charity Run 2012 T-Shirt And Medal Designs

What? The Multimedia University (MMU) Charity Run

Where? MMU Melaka Campus (President Square)

When? 18 March 2012

How far? 7km

Who? Organised by The Multimedia University Taekwondo Club

Why? All participation fees will be donated to Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Association Centre Melaka.

How? For more information and update, please click HERE.

Runwitme Says: Latest update - the registration is extended to the event day.

About Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Association Centre Melaka

The foundation of a Centre for the special needs children in Malacca begins early 2000. The need to expand rises as the Centre in Johor was getting overcrowded and also because there were a number of special children who could use their service in Malacca.

Soon, they found a double story bungalow in Bukit Baru. The place was ideal as it is quite big and the compound is spacious. A few changes about the house were necessary. So, it was renovated. Iron grills were fixed around the upstairs balcony to avoid children from climbing over. Two extra bathrooms were built and wooden fencing by the stairs was also necessary for the inmate’s safety.

In May 2000, they started their operation. There were only 10 inmates at that time. The person in charge was one of the senior staff from Johor. She imparted her knowledge, expertise and experience to the attendants taking care of the inmates.

The number of the inmates grew gradually. Now, they are hosting 55 inmates. The home was officially opened on 20th April 2002 by Malacca’s Chief Ministers wife, YAB Datin Seri Hajah Asmah Bt.Abdul Rahman.

Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Centre Melaka

C-5315, Jalan Penghulu Abbas, Bukit Baru, 75150 Melaka, Malaysia.

Tel: 06-2322530 Fax: 06-2322529

Email: ppkktam@tm.net.my

First Look: World Kidney Day Run 2012 T-Shirt and Medal Designs

Do you know 1 in 10 Malaysians is suffering from kidney disease?

There are more than 12,000 people in the waiting list for kidney transplant and only 22 kidneys were donated last year? That's how critical the shortage of kidneys in this country! Shocking fact, eh?

The theme for World Kidney Day (WKD) this year is Kidneys for Life' promoting organ donation and transplantation.

The World Kidney Day 2012 will be celebrated by organising WKD 2012 Run on 4th March 2012 at Dataran Merdeka, which is situated in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The celebration is co-organized by Malaysian Society of Nephrology (MSN), National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Ministry of Health (MOH) and National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) of Malaysia.

It will be launched by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin; with both Minister and Deputy Minister of Health who will be present too.

6 March 2012 – Health screening, health talk and exhibitions will be carried out at National Kidney Foundation for residents and working community in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, central region of Malaysia.

8 -11 March 2012 – Series of convoys with participation of Volkswagen Beetles Club from south of Malaysia across 3 states from Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan to the central region of Malaysia (Selangor). Convoys will flag off from selected hospitals to selected shopping malls. Activities will be held during the convoys to raise awareness about organ donation and getting public to pledge as organ donor.

16 March 2012 – Cycling and walk event in Sungai Petani, Kedah

24th March 2012 – Speech Contest Form 6 Students on “Kidney Donation Saves Lives”, Dewan Syed Putra, USM, Penang

31st of March 2012 – World Kidney Day Run, Kota Baharu, Kelantan.

For any information about activities mentioned above, please log on to

1) NKF Malaysia website at http://www.nkf.org.my/index.php

2) MSN website at http://www.msn.org.my/index.jsp

First Look: Energizer Night Race 2012 Official Vest Design by Brooks

OK. As we promised via Twitter this morning, here's the big announcement - Energizer Night Race is back! The launching ceremony was held at Banker's Club, Amoda Building this morning.

We had the privilege to be first people to see the official vest, hear from the big boss of Energizer and witness the launch of the spanking new website.

This year's official vest will be from Brooks.

How do you like it? (We think it's a bit HooHa! ;))

Mr. Mike Foong, Managing Director of Energizer Malaysia (middle) announced that Twenty-First Century Sports Sdn. Bhd has been appointed as the race organiser.

For the race, Energizer will be partnering with the Malaysia District of Kiwanis, an international non-profit organisation by donating RM10 from every successful registration to benefit the children with disabilities and learning difficultiesas well as children development and learing programs by Kiwanis Malaysia.

Wow! That will amount to RM50,000, assuming the 5,000 target runners is hit.

The race will be held at the same venue as last year - The Sepang International Circuit on April 21. The race will have three categories - 42km, 15.5km and 5.5 km.

Energizer Malaysia is also planning to enhance the contributuion by raising another RM210,000 through the sales of Energizer battery packs from March to May this year. With every pack sold, 30 sen will be set aside for the contributuion to Kiwanis Malaysia.

In an added generosity, Energizer's key distributors and business partners have pledge an additional amounts that put the total charity contributuion at an impressive RM340,000!

Various sponsors. We notice Ovaltine is coming into the running scene. I wonder how a cup of ice cold Ovaltine gonna taste like after the race. Heheh!

Please let me warn you, for those who intend to run this event, please sign up NOW. The number of registration will be capped at 5,000 runners, half of last year's 10,000 runners to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all runners. Do sign up at http://energizernightrace.com.my/

Photos: Bad Boy Edison Chen Running The Standard Chartered HK Marathon 2012!

Edison Chen made it to the headlines again. This time, it also involves heavy panting, profuse sweating, heart pounding and mind blowing physical actions!!!

But instead of pounding on top of some hot shot female actresses from HK, he was seen pounding the tarmac for the Standard Chartered HK Marathon which was held last Sunday! Sorry, can't resist the pun! LOL!

I would like to share with you guys some shots of Edison Chen at the starting point of SCHKM 2012. Photos courtesy of Mr. Tey Eng Tiong, a ultrarunner/ photographer/ running ambassador from Malaysia.

Edison was decked with Nike gear from top to toe - long sleeve shirt, running short and a pair of Nike running shoes. Is that the latest Nike Fuel Band on his right wrist? (To Nike Malaysia: When are you guys launching it here? Heheh!)

A discerning audio fan we think - he also sported a pair of Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones. We wonder what was he listeing to...:D His own album? Heheh!

For those uninitiated, Edison Chen (陳冠希) is an actor-singer from HK who was embroiled in a sex photo scandal that has rocked Hong Kong and publicly embarrassed celebrities, including Gillian Chung (鍾欣桐), Bobo Chan (陳文媛) and Cecilia Cheung (張栢芝) about four years ago.

He also caused a media buzz when he was found dating a barely legal 16-year-old model, Cammi Tse (謝芷蕙) and photo of them kissing circulated in the Internet last year.

A lot of people accused his participation in the charity run as an attempt to offset the bad press he received for his sex scandals.

Despite the bad press and all, Edison managed to complete the 42.19km race in an exceptional timing of 3 hours, 55 minutes and 46 seconds, raising a total of HK$1 million (RM388,200) for Nike's NOMADRUN Charity Project, which benefits the Changing Youth Lives Foundation, Hong Kong.

Wow...Edison, very well done-lah!

Note: Edison & Finisher Medal photo grabbed from HERE.

Check out the newspaper cutting from HK. Spotted are local Malaysian runners, Terence & Chooi Wan (in yellow circle) sharing the headline behind Edison Chen.

Note: Newspapers cutting grabbed from Amelia's FB. Heheh! Thanks!

And one of my lucky friends actually managed to take a pic with Edison! Julian recounted the moment with glee, "He was warming up and I just asked him to take a picture. He paused and answered, "Ok, fast...". Then all the paparazzi zoomed over!"

Thanks Julian for the pic!