MALAKOFF 17KM & 7KM, PENANG 2012 RUN ATTRACTS MORE THAN 1,300 LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES
‘Run with Family and Friends’ Awards Product Vouchers Worth RM20,000
25 March 2012, Penang, Malaysia – Malakoff Corporation Berhad (Malakoff) today successfully hosted the Malakoff 17km and 7km, Penang 2012, a ‘Run with Family and Friends’ event at Padang Kota Lama with a record 1,300 local and international athletes competing for product vouchers worth RM20,000.
Currently in its fifth consecutive year, the Run, an integral part of the Company’s flagship CSR platform – the Malakoff Community Partnerships saw the participation of racers from across Malaysia as well as from the local expatriate community. The Run aims to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle among people of various backgrounds and fitness levels.
At the prize presentation ceremony, Yang Berhormat Puan Lydia Ong Kok Fooi, Chairman of State Youth, and Sports and Women, Family and Community Development Committee said, “I am delighted that the Malakoff 17km and 7km, Penang 2012 was such a success. In line with the Penang State Government’s ‘Healthy Active Lifestyle towards a Harmonious Community’, I am pleased that many of the athletes raced with their family and friends.”
“Furthermore, Malakoff’s sponsorship of today’s Run has provided a good platform for the State Government to propagate this community message even further. This is the kind of support we seek from corporations to work hand in hand with us for the benefit of the community,” she added.
Since the inaugural Run in 2008, the Malakoff Penang Run has continued to receive encouraging support from the running community. From an initial count of 450 athletes in the inaugural race, participation has more than tripled this year, drawing a sizeable number of participants from all over the country as well as runners who are natives of countries such as Austria, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Singapore, and the USA.
To further attract greater participation, this year’s Run was shortened to 17km and 7 km as compared to the 26km and 8km in the previous years. Additionally, a new race course was also introduced to cover more scenic locations in Penang such as the Gurney Drive and Straits Quay as well as historical landmarks such as the Fort Cornwallis and Fort Point Lighthouse.
At the event, Yusop Rashid, Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations for Malakoff said, “The Malakoff Penang Run has been an annual affair given its surging popularity over the years. Apart from promoting a healthy lifestyle, this sporting event also brings together people from various backgrounds across the country to Penang, thus fostering fellowship among the athletes.”
“We are pleased with the overwhelming turnout of athletes who raced along with their family and friends. This encouraging response from the public is certainly a key driver for Malakoff to continue to organise this event,” he added.
The 17km race was open in six categories: Men's Open, Veteran and Senior Veteran plus the Women's Open, Veteran and Senior Veteran, while the 7km race was opened in two categories for beginners: the Fun Run and Junior Fun Run.
The runners who won the 17km top awards were Muindi Onesmus Muasya (Men’s Open), Khir Bin Salleh (Men’s Veteran), Tung Chin Seng (Men’s Senior Veteran), Njihia Ann Makuhi (Women’s Open), Ng Sun Nee (Women’s Veteran) and Tan Chin Fong (Women’s Senior Veteran). As for the 7km categories, Syamsul Farid Mohd Rapie topped the Men’s Junior 7km Fun Run category while Cheng Hei Di came in first for the Women’s Junior 7km Fun Run category.
To further encourage the athletes, certificate and goodie bags were presented to all participants who completed the race within the specified qualifying time.
Participating in the Malakoff Penang Run for the second time in a row, 49 year old Khir Bin Salleh who won the top spot for the Men’s Veteren category was all gung-ho about his win. He said, “The race not only allows me to pursue my passion for running, it also provided us a platform to spend quality time with my family and circle of close friends.”
True to the theme of ‘Run with Family and Friends’, the exhilarated winner who was joined by his wife and children in the run, added, “We enjoyed the race so much that now we are all looking forward to participate again in the race next year.”
The top finisher for the Girl’s Junior Fun Run category, Cheng Hei Di, 13, who also joined the race together with her mother and sibling said, “I am overjoyed having raced together with my family. I hope to participate again next year and conquer the 17km race category.”
Her brother, Cheng Ken Tze, 11, remarked, “Though this was my first race, this run offered a fun time for my family to spend quality time together. We have also made new friends with other participants and their family.”
For further information on the race results and photographs of the Malakoff 17km and 7km, Penang 2012 Run please visit www.malakoffrun.com.my.
Source: Malakoff Run Press Release
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