Media Release: Herbalife Malaysia Hosts 5 KM Fun Run for Its Third Annual Nutrition Day

KUALA LUMPUR, 26th November 2016: Herbalife Nutrition, a global nutrition company, kicked off its third annual Nutrition Day by bringing together its members, guests and the public for a 5 KM Fun Run at the Perdana Botanical Garden in Kuala Lumpur. More than 3,000 individuals and families took part in this celebration from all over Malaysia.

The event in Kuala Lumpur opened with a welcome address by representatives of Herbalife Malaysia, followed by a warm-up session before the Run’s commencement at 7.30 am. In addition to the Fun Run, the event also featured other fun-filled health activities such as prewarm up and post warm-up exercise and a lucky draw session that was held after the race. The Fun Run was open to both individual and family racers with the opportunity to win
Herbalife shakes spread throughout the race.



According to the 2015 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 30% of Malaysians are overweight1 with nearly 18% of the population identified as obese. In addition, 7% of children under the age of five are overweight1 because of the increasing adoption of sedentary lifestyles by Malaysians. This has led to an upward surge of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses.

“In light of these worrying trends, we want to do our part to improve the health and well-being of Malaysians. This year’s Nutrition Day focuses on issues pertaining to the importance of nutrition and healthy active living. We encouraged adults and children to take part together as family units to drive home the importance of the whole family leading a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Sridhar Rajagopalan, Sub-Regional General Manager of Herbalife Malaysia and Singapore.

Outside of Kuala Lumpur, 5 KM Fun Runs were also organised concurrently in other states in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia as a part of Herbalife’s Nutrition Day 2016. These other participating states include Penang, Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak. The Fun Run in Sabah was held on a beach at Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu. Perak is also scheduled to host a Fun Run, but on the 4th of December 2016 at the Ipoh Polo Field.

Media Release: IRONMAN MALAYSIA, Langkawi Hosts Over 1,000 Athletes From 63 Countries

Petaling Jaya, 21 November - The 2016 edition of IRONMAN Malaysia, Langkawi took place on November 12 on Langkawi Island. IRONMAN Malaysia has operated the race since its return to the island destination in 2014.

This year’s race saw 1,100 participants representing over 63 countries. International athletes made up 74% of the total, and Japan, the Philippines, Australia and Malaysia had the highest athlete counts of the countries represented. Participants were 87% male and 13% female. Forty-eight professional athletes from 25 countries participated in the race, competing for personal best times and USD 40,000 in total prize money. There were also 40 qualifying slots for the 2017 IRONMAN World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.



“On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, I would like to congratulate the victorious champions as well all the participants of IRONMAN Malaysia, Langkawi for their sheer perseverance and extraordinary spirit to cross the finish line. You are living proof that anything is possible. I would also like to compliment the organizer, World Endurance Malaysia, and partners for the success of this event – bringing together athletes, fitness enthusiasts, as well as their family and friends along with supporters for a truly outstanding event,” said Datuk Zulkefli Haji Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of MyCEB.



"We hope that everyone has enjoyed the beautiful paradise of Langkawi Island throughout your stay and that you will bring back home unforgettable memories - from the picturesque white sandy beaches to the stunning view of the majestic geoforest park. We would like to invite you to come back again to explore more of Malaysia, Truly Asia," he added.



Fredrik Croneborg of Sweden grabbed his breakthrough IRONMAN victory, overcoming strong competition and limited training due to a recent injury and the birth of his first child. He previously placed second in the 2014 and 2015 editions of the race. He withstood a storming run from Brazilian Thiago Vinhal to claim his first IRONMAN win in 8:39:11. The fastest run came from Japan’s Kaito Tohara who zoomed home to pick up third.

On his win, Croneborg said “It feels incredible! There are a lot of reasons for that. It’s my first IRONMAN title and after doing two second places, it is great. It got so close at the end and my preparation has not been optimal. All these things together and with the pressure before the race, it’s amazing. I felt a lot of crowd support out there from spectators and other competitors. It is my favourite race.”



In the women’s race, it proved a record breaking three consecutive wins at IRONMAN Malaysia, Langkawi for Germany’s Diana Riesler, who made her move late on the bike and proved too strong to beat on the run. The German pro achieved a time of 9:25:34 as rain showered the finish line on Cenang beach.
“I think I was third after the swim, and then I took over the lead on the bike after 30 kilometres. From then on, I stayed at the front. I’m just happy that I could come back to Malaysia and win. I’ve won three times, and this is my favourite race,” she said.

“It was a great race. The weather was on our side and the swim start went smoothly, which is a great indicator of how the day is going to go. The athletes raced strong today, and they should all be very proud of themselves for persevering,” said Carl Smith, race director and IRONMAN Operations Manager, Asia.
Other notable participants included Malaysia’s first IRONMAN Asia Ambassador Rupert Chen (10:31:29), Sepang International Circuit CEO Dato’ Razlan Razali (16:14:44) and iflix CEO Azran Osman Rani (13:31:49).

Top athletes across all categories accepted IRONMAN World Championship slots in a roll down ceremony on November 13. The 2017 World Championship will take place on October 14, 2017 on The Big Island of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Yoshihito Munemasa, 70, accepted one of the 40 allocated slots to the championship, which is by qualification only. He raced in the 70-74 category and finished strong with a time of 13:53:09. He has raced in Kona six times. He achieved his first qualification via IRONMAN Malaysia, Langkawi fifteen years prior.



Top finishers in all age categories received trophies at the beachside Awards Night Dinner at the Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi later that night. Firefighter Amran Abdul Ghani reclaimed his 2014 title of Best Malaysian Male with 10:09:04. Mei See Chin was once again the Best Malaysian Female with a time of 12:02:27, improving on her 2015 finishing time of 12:53:28.



On the 2016 edition of the race, Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of IRONMAN Asia, said, “We congratulate Fredrik Croneborg, Diana Riesler and all athletes who took part in this year’s race. They are truly the essence of IRONMAN - their strength, determination and perseverance is inspiring to watch, and it was a great race. IRONMAN has received tremendous support by the triathlon community and our sponsors and partners over the years. The people of Langkawi have truly made the event their own and it ranks as one of the best on a global scale.”

Veteran Malaysian IRONMAN Yee Sze Mun, 79, also launched his book “The Bumble Bee in me - Living the IRONMAN Dream” during the 2016 IRONMAN Malaysia, Langkawi race week. The book chronicles his experiences as an IRONMAN athlete, beginning with his first marathon at age 50, and his first triathlon at age 52. On his experiences as a veteran IRONMAN who has qualified for the IRONMAN World Championships in Hawaii six times, he said, “IRONMAN made me what I am today. Chasing this same dream for the best part of 21 years has shaped and turned me into a better man, physically, mentally and in every aspect of my life. It is my hope that this book can inspire people who want to be an IRONMAN, and become a better human being.”



The IRONKIDS race on November 11 saw 200 kids aged 5 - 13 taking part in a 500m or 1km dash along Cenang Beach, sharing the IRONMAN finisher’s arch. IRONMAN Malaysia introduced the IRONKIDS race in 2015 to promote a healthy and active lifestyle to children. The race also allows children of IRONMAN participants to experience the finish line at the Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa.

The race expo took place from November 9 - 13, and featured booths by sports and lifestyle exhibitors and the IRONMAN official merchandise. Yee Sze Mun’s book was also on sale during the expo.

The 2016 IRONMAN Malaysia Langkawi was supported by Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Malaysia Major Events, Malaysia Year of Festivals 2016, Kedah State, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Naturally Langkawi, Discover Kedah 2016, The Danna Langkawi, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi, Active, Brooks, Compressport, PowerBar, FinisherPix, Triathlon Association of Malaysia, Zoot and LILA.

For more information, visit www.IRONMANMalaysia.com.

Media Release: Delicious Dieting for Diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes can certainly enjoy delicious and nutritious food found freely in their very own kitchen.

Diabetes happens when an individual’s blood sugar or glucose levels are higher than normal. This rise can be caused by foods rich in carbohydrate foods like bread, cereals, rice, pasta, fruits, milk, and desserts.

As such, many diabetes patients refrain from eating large meals. One of the most delicious and easiest ways to include health into their diets is through consuming fresh vegetables and fruits that are power packed with the best natural vitamins possible.

“While a diabetes patient needs to keep an eye on what he or she consumes, the most crucial aspect of their nutrition plan should be on the amount of carbs instead of totally omitting them,” says premier fresh fruit juice and vegetable supplier Juice Works Malaysia founder Ling Mooi Li shares.

“But it’s also important to be able to enjoy the foods we are used to enjoying. Overeating and poor choices are the elements that should be discouraged among diabetes.”

With World Diabetes Day happening this month followed by Christmas, Juice Works has launched a special juice called Berry Christmas, which is naturally delightful concoction created with an artful blend of strawberries, apricots, plums, chia seeds, almond milk, low fat mango passion yoghurt and sorbet.

The Berry Christmas is priced at RM 13.75 (Midi) and RM 14.80 (Power) including GST and will be available at all Juice Works around Malaysia.

“There are many ways to incorporate healthier choices of food into your daily diet and not just for diabetics,” says Ling, a certified nutritionist based in Australia.

“For example, Berry Christmas is aesthetically pleasing to the eye with its sweet tones of shades and it tastes absolutely refreshing and delicious. There are also many types of food you can consume that will offer natural defense for the human body.”

For example, Ling points out the humble berry family, of which strawberries are a part of the Berry Christmas concoction, are highly potent and nutritious.

“These little power-packed berries are a rich source of insoluble fiber and soluble fiber (which slows down the emptying of your stomach, and improves blood sugar control). The USDA has a research proving that people who consumed 2 1/2 cups of berry juice per day for 12 weeks lowered their blood glucose levels, lifted depression, and improved their memories largely due to anthocyanins in the berries, a natural chemical that shrinks fat cells and also stimulates the release of adiponectin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels.

Steel cut oats, broccoli, psyllium husk, quinoa, walnuts, spinach, collard greens, and spices such as turmeric and cinnamon, play a major role in alleviating diabetes from among the society.

Juice Works’ popularity is soaring due to its ability to serve delicious nutrition conveniently packaged in a single cup. This year alone sees it winning three awards - Shape magazine’s Favourite for categories – Best Juice and Best Smoothie award, Top Brand in the category of Drink Kiosk, and most recently, Natural Health Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Award.

Media Release: OSIM Sundown Marathon ventures into Penang this December with a mission to attract 5,000 runners

PENANG, 8 November 2016 – Asia’s largest night marathon and Singapore’s iconic home-grown night run, OSIM Sundown Marathon celebrates its 10th year anniversary next year and it is marking this milestone with the launch of its first overseas races in Taipei and Penang.

Running enthusiasts in Penang will soon get to run through the night and beat the sunrise, joining their Singapore counterparts in the unique Sundown running experience. The Penang edition of OSIM Sundown Marathon will be held on 17 December 2016 in the heart of Bayan Lepas near Queensbay Mall, Penang.

Targeting runners of all fitness levels, the run will feature 5KM, 10KM and 21.1KM race categories. In addition to a memorable night racing experience, runners taking part in the 5KM run can look forward to receiving an exclusive race singlet, a 5KM finisher’s medal, personalized race bib and a goodie bag with sponsor’s products. Runners taking part in the 10KM and 21.1KM runs have an additional personalized electronic race certificate with race timing.

OSIM Sundown Marathon Penang will be supported by OSIM, the global leader in branded healthy lifestyle products. The strong partnership seamlessly combines OSIM’s mission of inspiring well-being with the Sundown Marathon’s aim of creating an all-inclusive fun and healthy environment for families and friends to enjoy as they run through the night.



“The spirit of the marathoner resonates with OSIM because we believe in challenging your spirit to do your best. The OSIM Sundown Marathon 2017 is particularly exciting as it will be running in Penang and Taipei. It makes our partnership more significant as Malaysia and Taiwan are two of the key countries where OSIM is present. This shows the entrepreneurial drive of the organisers in growing the sport and as a Singapore brand who has gone before, we are happy to help promote Sundown to these new markets,” said Mr Ron Sim, Founder, Chairman and CEO of OSIM International Pte Ltd.



“We have been planning to go regional for quite some time, and with Sundown celebrating its 10th year, it is timely for us to go abroad to reach out to more people in different countries. The Singapore edition has attracted a significant number of foreigners, an indicator of the popularity of the race. Specifically, 20% of our overseas runners fly in from Malaysia to run in Sundown Marathon Singapore. We are aware that Penang has a very large running community and are excited to bring the race there to allow more Malaysians to experience the magic of night racing. We’re also grateful to OSIM for lending their continuous support, as this marks a major milestone for Sundown,” said Adrian Mok, Managing Director of HiVelocity Events, the organiser of Sundown Marathon

Touted as Asia’s largest night marathon, the annual run has seen a steady increase in its participation. Its ninth edition in 2016 saw 27,500 runners run through the night – a five-fold increase from its humble beginnings in 2008. The 2016 race in Singapore featured over 40% of overseas race entrants from countries such as Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and China – underscoring the appeal of the event as well as the thriving sports tourism industry in Asia.



Registration for OSIM Sundown Marathon Penang 2016 is available now till 9 December 2016 at www.sundownmarathon.com

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Especially for our loyal blog readers, please use the promo code SDM2016MAX10 to get 10% discount on top of the current fees. Those interested can register through this link, https://mro.myraceonline.com/sunm16/registrations/pincode

Media Release: The City Marathon debuts in the HCMC RUN 2017

The date is set! HCMC Run – The City Marathon 2017 will take place on January 15, 2017 at Phu My Hung. This year a new distance, 42Km, will be launched together with the staple 5Km, 10Km and 21Km distances. For the first time after 25 years, a full distance marathon, organized by Pulse Active, will be ran in Ho Chi Minh City.

After 4 years of successful organization, the event has been more than just a race; it has become an icon that the citizens of Ho Chi Minh City are proud of. The HCMC Run attracts a wide demographic, ranging from children to adults, sport enthusiasts to elite athletes, and locals to tourists. There has been a regular annual increase in the number of Vietnamese participants. Most of them participate in the run by signing up for the 5km distance, which is considered as the perfect combination of sport and fun for first timers.



Many companies also use the run as a form of team building activity to enhance team spirit in an exciting and energetic atmosphere.

It is interesting to note that the Vietnamese runners are evolving at the same rhythm as the race. We clearly observe a trend in which Vietnamese runners are moving from the friendly shorter distances to more competitive longer distances. Over the last year, there has been many requests and calls for a full marathon distance, Pulse Active has heeded their call and will be ready for this in the upcoming HCMC Run – The City Marathon 2017.



The organizer of the marathon, Pulse Active, is a pioneer in the sports events industry. It has organized many Sport, Lifestyle and Entertainment events in Vietnam ranging from the competitive (DaNang International Marathon and Challenge Vietnam) to the recreational fun runs (Color Me Run and The PRISMA). The number of participants for the events goes up to 15,000 runners for the Color Me Run.

By organizing and hosting different sports events, Pulse Active envisions to build up the sports community in Vietnam as well grow sports tourism for the country. In addition to the increase of the number of participants, the events have also lead to a positive impact on the behavior of sports and sportswear market. For example, the sportswear industry records a strong value growth of 11%, which helped reach VND5.678 billion in sales in
2015.



Apart of from the sports and sportswear industry, there has also been a positive impact on sports tourism of Vietnam. The HCMC Run attracts around 7,000 participants every year, 36% of which is comprised of foreigners and tourists traveling from all over the globe. Pulse Active estimates that there has been an economic impact of between $10-$12 Million in 2016 due to the three international competitive events it organized.

“We are proud to bring a Marathon to Ho Chi Minh City and we see it as our mission to contribute to a healthier and more active sporting community, as well as to the tourism and sport development of our country. The HCMC Run – The City Marathon 2017 is akin to its host city – Dynamic, Active and Full of Energy, and this is what we aim to show the world”, said Mr. Bady Pham, Managing Director of Pulse Active.



This race is planned as a 2-day event with the Warm-Up Day and Kid's Dash on the 14th and the Marathon itself taking place on the 15th of January 2017. With the addition of the new full distance marathon, HCMC Run – The City Marathon 2017 expects to attract many runners from all over the world and is envisioned to become a must-do marathon in the South East Asian Region.



For more info and registration, please click http://hcmcrun.com/

Cabloc Your Way To A Healthy Weight, Naturally

I absolutely hate eating! Says no one in Malaysia. Blessed with a multicultural population, the choices of food in our country are so wide, ranging from nasi lemak, nasi kandar, curry laksa, fried koay teow to sugary desserts such as cendol, ABC and many more. From street foods to exotic international cuisines, Malaysians are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating.

It is not surprising that Malaysians are among the fattest people in Asia. It is simply because we all love to eat. According to the World Health Organisation 2014 report, about 38.5% (11.55 million) of Malaysians are overweight and 13.3% (3.99 million) are obese.



So, how do we slim down without giving up what we love, which is eating? We were introduced to Vitraplus Cabloc, a new natural weight-loss supplement by AJ Research and Pharma Sdn Bhd.

Thanks to Watsons and AJ Research and Pharma Sdn Bhd., we have embarked on our own weight loss journey while eating with a little help from Cabloc.

So, what is Cabloc actually? It is a is a slimming formulation which blocks carbohydrates (hence, the name Cabloc), burns fats and high in nutrition.



The dosage is just two to three capsules in the morning after breakfast. It is safe as it is made of natural ingredients and is registered with Ministry of Health Malaysia.

Despite the eating, we are not forgetting the other thing that we love which is running! For maximum result, Vitraplus Cabloc is best consumed with a well-balanced diet and regular physical activities.



How does Cabloc work?

Block Carbohydrates
The highly prized raspberry ketone is Cabloc's key ingredient to prevent the breakdown of carbohydrates in our digestive system so that the excess glucose is not stored as fats in our body. In combination with the white kidney bean extract, these two ingredients play a vital role to reduce the carbohydrate absorption which causes weight gain."

The gymnema leaves extract in Cabloc suppresses the activation of sugar molecules in our taste buds and dela is the glucose absorption to avoid excess storage as fats.

Burn Fats
In addition to blocking carbohydrates, Cabloc also contains green coffee bean extract, a tested source to inhibit fat accumulation and absorption into our body while boosts glucose and fat metabolism rate in our liver, burning more fats and support lean body mass for weight loss.31"

High in Nutrition
As our body needs essential nutrients for daily activities, the Pricky Pear Cactus Stem extract found in Cabloc is highly nutritional in minerals and vitamins to keep our diet balanced!

These 5 key ingredients are specially formulated to promote weight loss with a well-balanced diet. With Cabloc, you can take your breakfast, lunch and dinner with snacks in between and still slim down.



According to Dr. Soo Wincci, the first Miss Malaysia to receive a PhD and also Vitraplus Cabloc ambassador, with just two to three capsules in after meal is all it takes for her to see the difference within a month. She made sure that she tried and seen the amazing results before accepting the ambassadorship.

For maximum results, we would include Cabloc in our arsenal of weight loss "weaponry" like our running shoes, fitness tracker and weights.

We are monitoring our progress and will be updating it later in this post. So far, so good.

We have not encountered any side effects usually associated with weight loss supplements such as headache, dry mouth, anorexia, bowel problems, insomnia, sore throat and more. Except, we noticed that our breath smells like berries for a short period of time after taking the capsules. Not that it is a bad thing. Heheh! It must be the raspberry ketones.



Vitraplus Cabloc comes in 60 vegetable capsules per box with a retail price of RM138. It is now available in Watsons stores (online too HERE) and all leading pharmacies.

Wanna win yourself a chance to appear in a magazine and video with Dr. Soo Wincci? There is an exciting contest happening right now. On top of that, the Grand prize winner will also be winning RM3,000 cash voucher, fitness bracelet and 1 year supply of Cabloc product!

To participate in the contest, just head over to
Website: http://vitrapluscabloc.com/
Facebook: Vitraplus Cabloc

Media Release: Great Eastern Bubble Dash Raised Over RM152,200 for Charity

Kuala Lumpur, 23 October 2016 – The Heart Foundation of Malaysia (Yayasan Jantung Malaysia) and Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad (Great Eastern Life) once again joined hands today for the Kuala Lumpur leg of the Great Eastern Bubble Dash 2016. This unique collaboration which was conceptualised to promote an enjoyable health and fitness event amongst Malaysians, attracted 15,000 runners for the run this year.

The event was held at Dataran Merdeka and was officially flagged off at 7.30am by KDYMM Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Norashikin Abdul Rahman. Also present at the session were Tun Ahmad Sarji Bin Abdul Hamid, President, Heart Foundation of Malaysia; Tan Sri Dato’ Kamaruzzaman Shariff, Vice President, Heart Foundation of Malaysia; Datuk Dr JS Sambhi, Chairman, Heart Foundation of Malaysia and Dato Koh Yaw Hui, Director and Chief Executive Officer, Great Eastern Life.



The run in Kuala Lumpur featured 3 categories to cater for both leisure and seasoned runners – 5km Bubble Dash, 12km and 21km LIVE GREAT Run. The competitive segments for 21km and 12km LIVE GREAT Run were flagged off earlier at 5.30am and 7.00am respectively.

YABhg. Tun Ahmad Mohd Sarji Bin Abdul Hamid, President, Heart Foundation of Malaysia said, “The Great Eastern Bubble Dash is a unique event that has been held in two cities. Combining fitness and fun is a great way to stay healthy, and we hoped to have encouraged more Malaysians to prioritise fitness and be healthy. Judging by the huge turn-out today, the Malaysian public recognised the importance of these and we look forward to continuing to build on this year’s success going forward.”

Young runners were also spotted in the 5km fun run route. Under the umbrella of Great Eastern Life ChildrenCare, 50 underprivileged children under the purview of Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) were given the opportunity to enjoy a foamy run. In conjunction with the run, Great Eastern Life ChildrenCare sponsored 500 pairs of sports shoes to the underprivileged children. This is to cultivate and promote a healthy lifestyle among the kids.

Director and Chief Executive Officer of Great Eastern Life, Dato Koh Yaw Hui said, “We want to inspire more Malaysians to make the necessary changes in their lifestyle and take ownership of maintaining their well-being. Through this run, we want to demonstrate that an active lifestyle can be exciting, fun and a great way to spend quality time with their loved ones.”



“It is our brand promise as a LIFE company to help Malaysians turn their health intentions into actions on their journey to live healthier and better. The run was designed as a platform to help people in achieving their health goals and we believe that a healthy lifestyle routine should start from young, hence our sponsorship of the underprivileged children in this run.” Dato Koh added.

The comprehensive Live Great Programme is the first integrated health and wellness programme by an insurance company in the region. It comprises five components - Wellness Tools, Health Tips, Mobile Apps, Workshops and Events, and Exclusive Privileges. Through the Workshops and Events pillar of the Live Great Programme, Great Eastern Life has organised many successful and popular events including Viper Challenge, FitForLife Health Fair, Largest Zumba Fitness Party amongst many other events. There are various avenues one can leverage on from these holistic programmes to make life great in every way.

The Great Eastern Bubble Dash 2016 was held in two cities, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. It is the first of its kind ever to be held in Malaysia that combines multi-coloured bubble foam and heart-pumping music.

The 5km course was based on multi-coloured bubble (made out of foam) stations placed throughout the running route around Dataran Merdeka. Participants passed through several stations where they were showered with coloured bubbles and foam, enjoyed heart-pumping music and a host of other surprise activities. This category was a leisure run and catered to runners of all ages and fitness levels. Runners could complete the route at their own pace or opt to sprint to the finish line. Finisher medals were given to all who completed the route.



Event organizer, Heart Foundation of Malaysia in conjunction with Great Eastern Life Assurance also introduced a new 21km category half marathon distance to offer a more challenging experience to participants who had previously entered the 12km LIVE GREAT Run, which has been held annually since 2012. The competitive route saw runners sprinting through several iconic landmarks in the city and scenic neighbourhoods along the way. It challenges their stamina and perseverance as they race through various checkpoints. Runners who completed the run will also receive finisher medals.

“It was a great experience to have a half marathon length run introduced; for us experienced runners. I was able to tackle the longer distance whilst my wife and children participated in the 5km run, enjoying the colourful bubbles and then we met at the finish. I am definitely hoping it would be back again next year,” said 41-year old S Kshte Dayanand from Kayu Ara.

“This is our first run. It was so much fun being able to be outside and get showered by colourful bubbles at the same time. The experience was phenomenal and I will be back next year with family as there were many activities for them as well,“ said Minjun Chow, 37 from Old Klang Road.



After completing their run, participants enjoyed a post-event carnival (also known as the Healthy Heart Carnival). The carnival featured exciting on-site offerings such as free health screenings, live Zumba workout sessions, on-stage entertainment and exciting giveaways. Other attractions include various food and beverage stalls, interactive games and inflatable toys for children to play.

At the Great Eastern booth, runners had the opportunity to print out their pictures captured during the run by uploading them on Instagram with a specific hashtag. Those who participated in the LIVE GREAT Fitness Challenge were rewarded with Starbucks gift cards when they successfully broke the record for the fitness challenge. Those who produced their LIVE GREAT Card were able to double up the amount of the prize.

“The event was great fun and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sponsors, the participants and especially Great Eastern Life for their support,” said Datuk Sambhi.

Media Release: Bali Beach Run 2016 Is Back With A New Route and A New Concept!

Denpasar Bali, 24 October - The most anticipated beach run event of the year is back, this time with an exciting new route and an exciting new concept. Now with a “Fun Run” theme and minus the use of a timing chip, the new Bali Beach Run 2016 will ensure that everyone comes out a winner!

Taking place on 11 December 2016, runners will leave the starting line at Petitenget Beach at 6:00am and run alongside the beach’s breathtaking panorama before heading into Seminyak Beach. Depending on the category - 10km, 5km or 2.5km, the route will take you from the starting line at Petitenget Beach along some of the most iconic establishments along Seminyak Beach. For those running in the 10km category, you’ll continue on to Double Six Beach, Padma Beach, Legian Beach and Kuta Beach before turning back in front of The Hard Rock Hotel towards the finish line at Petitenget Beach.



The 5km Fun Run and the 2.5km Family Run also begin and end on Petitenget Beach. The runners for the 5km Fun Run would turn back in front of The Lanai Restaurant in the Double Six Beach, and the 2.5km Family Run would turn back in front of Luna Villa on Seminyak Beach towards the finish line at Petitenget Beach.

Now in its third year, Bali Beach Run is the first run of its kind and has been receiving overwhelming support from participants and partners from all over the world. Introduced in November 2013 by the President and Founder of PT. Trijaya Dewata, Mr. Hendra Lapusa, it has since become a highly anticipated running event among local and international runners alike.



This year, the run is expected to gather up to 5,000 participants, a large milestone for the event, which saw 1,500 participants in 2013 and 2,000 participants in 2015. This year’s event is also sponsored by world-class partners, including Nivea Sun and PUMA for official running gear.

Early bird registrations are now open until 5 November 2016, and regular registrations will commence until 8 December 2016.



For more information, please visit www.balibeachrun.com or do contact PT. Trijaya Dewata at +62 361 335 0330.

Media Release: ‘For Fit Sake’ the Youth Movement Taking University by Storm

PETALING JAYA, 1 November 2016 - Second year students of the Department of Communication and Liberal Arts (DCLA) have begun running a campaign on the importance of Fitness among the Sunway youth and staff. The campaign, titled Sunway For Fit Sake, has been running since early August and has just recently had their campaign launch last Friday with guest of honor Dr. Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group. The launching ceremony was filled with lively performances by Sunway University’s students as well as activities around the campus that promotes a healthy living.

In 2015, Malaysia was said to have the highest obesity ratings among Asian countries with statistics as almost half of both male and female Malaysians categorizing as obese. About a quarter from the stats are youths under the age of 26. These stats lead to the activation of the For Fit Sake campaign, where being healthy is promoted though fun and open environment.

In order to raise awareness of the issue, the students have held flash mobs, performances, Yoga sessions and Zumba classes that were done all throughout the Sunway University Campus. Not only that, a Halloween-themed obstacle course called the Ultimate Survival Challenge will also be held on the 4th of November that encourages the students to keep healthy while having fun in the process.



The Sunway Education Group, with Dr. Elizabeth Lee publicly showing her support for her campaign through Twitter updates, as well as live tweeting the campaign launch last Friday, on the 28th of October. They had valued and gained the presence of both the Vice Chancellor of Sunway University, Professor Graeme Wilkinson and the Dean of Sunway’s Faculty of Arts, Professor Harold Thwaites.

Professor Graeme Wilkinson was invited due to the students’ admiration of him as he walks up 12 levels to get to his office on the 12th floor at least once a day at work. He has

gotten so used to it that he now even knows it takes 336 steps to reach the highest floor, and still does it anyway as an act of getting a morning walk into his daily routine. This is the kind of activities the Sunway For Fit Sake committee are trying to impress upon their students. Daily health activities do not have to involve paying for a gym membership, or signing up for fitness classes or even dieting. Staying fit can simply be taking the stairs to your class, or going for a morning or evening run – maybe even a weekend hike with friends.

“I do wish to applaud the communications students for championing this laudable project and to inspire and encourage a fitter Sunway University, and for injecting so much fun into it,” complimented Dr. Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway University.

Media Release: PUMA Announces AdvoCAT – PUMA’s Loyalty Program

Kuala Lumpur, 1 November 2016 – Starting today till the 15th of November, PUMA will be launching a campaign to kick off the release of the new loyalty program for all PUMA fans and shoppers who will be able to enjoy 10% off their shopping bill upon registration during the campaign period and encouraged to do so before during this limited time offer.

Aptly titled AdvoCAT, the new membership is free and simple programme that allows all customers to accumulate and redeem points with every purchase, without any minimum condition.

Designed to reward shoppers with every dollar spent, AdvoCAT will follow a three-tiered scheme that progresses with every dollar spent. Shoppers will be able to accumulate more points per bill as they progress across the tiers that are named after PUMA’s silhouettes, Suede (5%), Disc (10%) and Ignite (15%).

Validity of the each AdvoCAT point is applicable for 12 months and will automatically expire thereafter.



AdvoCAT Redemption Mechanic
A simple mechanic meant to reward all shoppers for their support with discounts, as soon as an AdvoCAT member has met the requirement of at least three thousand Ringgit spent, he/she will be able to collect points equivalent to 15% of their bill. For example, a RM600 purchase at tier 3 will earn a member 30 points that will warrant a discount of RM90 for the transaction. Shoppers will then be given the choice to redeem or hold the points for future purchases. Members will be able to earn points from all Owned & Operated and “Shop in Shop” participating stores, redemption can be done at all PUMA outlets.

Birthday Discounts & Special Privileges
AdvoCAT members will also get to enjoy an additional 20% discount for their birthday. The discount will be redeemable for one week before and after the birthdate and will only be applicable on full priced merchandise. In addition, AdvoCAT members will also gain access to special privileges such as exclusive previews, private and VIP in-store events, early access to exclusive PUMA merchandise, special offers, and surprise bonus points.

For more info, please visit your favourite PUMA stores.

Media Release: NKF Organises Charity Themed Dance Marathon

Petaling Jaya, October 2016 – Superheroes will ascend on Sunway Pyramid in November as the National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia is organising a superhero-themed dance marathon in conjunction with 2016 World Diabetes Day.

The Superhero Dance will take place on 13 November 2016 from 12 to 2pm in LG2, Blue Concourse of Sunway Pyramid. The event is expected to see 500 participants dance to a variety of dance styles such as Zumba and Sh’Bam, led by Celebrity Fitness Malaysia instructors.

World Diabetes Day is observed globally every year on 14 November and is marked by activities and campaigns to raise awareness of diabetes. The World Diabetes Day 2016 theme Walk the Talk and focuses on advocating for early detection through screening and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

“Based on 2015 statistics, almost one in five (17.5%) Malaysians have diabetes. Alarmingly, half of these diabetes patients are undiagnosed and are unaware of their condition,” said Dr. Khoo Chow Huat, the Deputy Managing Director of Sunway Group Healthcare Services and Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Medical Centre. “However, type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through frequent health screenings, a balanced diet and an active lifestyle. We hope that through this marathon we can encourage members of the public to take a keen interest in exercise and be more proactive in taking charge of their health.”

“Diabetes is one of the key factors of chronic kidney disease, with almost 61% of chronic kidney disease patients having diabetes; so it is vital for the disease to be nipped in the bud,” Mr Chua Hong Wee, CEO of NKF Malaysia added. “While also raising awareness for diabetes, we have chosen the superhero theme to highlight the heroes of Malaysia who have pledged to save lives through organ donation and hope that it will inspire more Malaysians to step up to take the organ donation pledge.”

NKF and the Sunway Group Healthcare Services jointly launched an organ donation promotion unit in CP3 of Sunway Pyramid last October, marking the first of its kind in a Malaysian shopping mall. The promotion unit has employed full-time healthcare professionals to provide shoppers with all the necessary information about organ donation. Interested visitors can also sign up for organ donation and pledge support for NKF’s efforts.
The Superhero Dance Marathon aims to raise RM15,000 that will be channelled towards NKF’s efforts in raising awareness of kidney-related diseases and providing underprivileged kidney patients access to dialysis treatment.

Participants can also enjoy other activities like free health screenings, health exhibitions, a fashion show, photo booths, performances and a colouring contest.

Participation fee is RM30 and registration closes on 4 November 2016. For more information on the Superhero Dance Marathon or to sign up, please visit http://www.nkf.org.my or call 03-7954 9048.

5 Pro Strategies To Make You Run More Efficiently

There’s no doubt about it: Running can be hard. But it doesn’t have to be! Let’s check out some strategies from Lucozade Sport™ “Fuel Your Performance” Advocates, Edan Syah that can help you run much more efficiently.

1. Get A Heart Rate Monitor
Endurance capability indicates how long you can sustain with easy effort. During exercise, the heart beats faster, providing more oxygen for the body. The harder you exercise, the faster the heart beats. A heart rate monitor will allow you to see how well you perform – during extended exercise, the heart rate monitor should read between 70-80% of your maximum heart rate; in hot or humid weather, this may go up to 85% as the heart needs to beat faster under such conditions.

2. Have A Training Plan for Strength and Conditioning
“It’s important to respect the distance; you need to prepare yourself,” advises Edan, who advocates a proper training programme and the guidance of a coach or mentor to stay motivated. He readily admits that having a training programme is easy but sticking to it is difficult! “I took 3 years to prepare for my first marathon,” he recalls. Now, he dedicates at least six months to prepare, running 10km or half marathons as part of his training.

To condition your body and improve endurance, a gradual process is often the best approach, especially for beginners and intermediate runners, as aggressive training can lead to a higher risk of injury. In turn, the recovery time will set you back in your training schedule. Instead, train consistently and patiently, slowly building up speed and distance until you reach your goal.

Strength training is also important but don’t confuse this with pumping iron and building huge muscles. There are a variety of exercises, some of which may involve using weights, which help to build a runner’s strength and train the body to move more efficiently. These include squats, lunges and push-ups as well as deadlifts and planks. You need to develop your strength for the right muscle group.

3. Improve Your Running Form
Running form is all about using the correct technique and posture to run as efficiently as possible. While most people think of running as an activity that only involves the legs, proper running form extends from the way your head tilts while running, to the way your foot strikes the ground.

A few tips to improve your running form:

• Look ahead naturally while you run, keeping your gaze on the horizon and not downwards

• Keep shoulders low and loose, not hunched or tight, and keep them level without dipping left and right

• Use your arms to complement your legs – keep elbows bent, allow arms to swing forward and back rather than across the body, and keep hands unclenched to reduce tension in the upper body

• Lift your knees just enough for a short stride forward – lifting the knees high is more effective for sprinters running short distances; for marathon runners, it uses up more energy than necessary

• Hit the ground lightly and focus on the ball (middle) of your foot compared to the forefoot or the heel; with every step, flex your ankles as your foot rolls; as you roll onto your toes, spring off as you feel your calf muscles propel you forward.

4. Fuel For Performance
During training, a balanced and nutritional diet with the right carbohydrates helps to fuel your body while protein helps to build, maintain and repair muscle tissues. The night before a race, a meal rich in carbohydrates like pasta, rice and potatoes helps your body to ‘stock up’ on energy. However, avoid eating too late – give your body time to digest before turning in for a good night’s sleep.

Your body will lose fluids as you sweat so drink water consistently before, during and after running; this is essential while training as well as during an actual marathon as dehydration will affect your mental and physical performance, and cause you to feel more tired after running. What’s more, severe dehydration, especially in hot weather, can be very dangerous.

While running, you should also maintain consistent energy levels with 30g-60g of carbohydrates every hour, equivalent to 1-2 bottles of Lucozade Sport™ for each hour of racing. Its science-based formulation of electrolytes and carbohydrates is specifically designed provide enhanced hydration to fuel athletes during prolonged exercise.

5. Choose the Right Gear
Choose shoes that are designed for running; shoes designed for other sports won’t give your feet the support they need for running long distances. In general, running shoes are designed for both stability and cushioning, but your own foot type – normal, high-arched or flat – will also determine how much support your need in your shoe.

To find out which type you are, wet your foot and step on a piece of paper. A ‘normal’ footprint will show toes that are connected to the heel with a broad band and a gap for the arch; a ‘flat’ foot will show an imprint of the entire sole (this shows you have weak arches and your foot will have a tendency to roll inwards when you run); and a high-arched foot will show only a narrow band connecting the toes and heel. To run more efficiently and reduce the risk of injury, use the right running shoes for you, taking into account your foot type and running style.

This article is brought to you by the Lucozade Sport™ ‘Fuel Your Performance’ Campaign, an initiative to help dedicated athletes achieve their performance goals and inspire others to achieve their dreams.

Media Release: ICE-WATCH Launches 2nd Light Up The Night Run 2016 With A Bang!

SHAH ALAM, Selangor, 24 October 2016 - The second "ICE-WATCH- Light Up The Night Run 2016" is fast approaching and will take place on Saturday, 3 December 2016. The funky Belgium brand of watches is back in the limelight once again to bring a night of fun & colours into the hearts of fellow runners which has made a prominent presence after last year's run.

The run will once again take off and end from the iconic Plaza Shah Alam and will include new 5KM & 10KM routes. Additionally, the venue sponsor, Plaza Shah Alam will provide ample & fantastic F&B and shopping options once again to the participants prior and after the race with extended hours until 12 midnight.

This year sees 2ndSkin as the official T-shirt sponsor for all runners and this year's participants have the option to choose either one of the seven colours available - Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, Pink and Purple which are truly unique to the embodiment of ICE-WATCH's brand. Not forgetting the iconic one-of-a-kind Finisher medals are also back this round featuring ICE-WATCH's exuberant colours on black steel die-cut.



"We are once again glad to be the title sponsor for the 'ICE-WATCH- Light Up The Night Run 2016'. The attributes of this run mirror those attributes that we encourage in our own employees and in the way we conduct business - challenging limits, commitment to long-term vision, and doing things differently" said Dato' Sri Meer Habib, Chairman of ICE-WATCH Malaysia, who is the sole exclusive distributor of the brand here.

'The 'ICE-WATCH- Light Up The Night Run 2016' was created to support and enhance the sport of running in a way that will positively affect the people and communities of Malaysia, especially among the nation's youth," said Dato' Sri Meer. 'The goal is to not only help youngsters develop their physical selves, but also to instill in them the spirit of competition, determination and inspiration -- all characteristics that will serve them well throughout their academic and working lives."

"This is our second year working with ICE-WATCH whom has continued to achieve prominence across the global timepiece market and we are proud to be associated with the brand and we look forward to creating another unforgettable race experience" said by Hafiz Md Khas, Project Director of The Marathon Company.



There will also be timepieces worth up RM700 each for the Top 5 Male & Top 5 Female runners from the 10 KM competitive category.

The ultimate crowd-pleaser this year will see ICE-WATCH gift random registered participant of the race with RM 1,000,000 worth of timepieces worth up to RM699 each. Fans & avid runners can expect the uber cool watches to be even cooler than last year's watches and of course better value than ever before.

In addition, as part of the title sponsorship deal, ICE-WATCH will also offer all participants a one-time purchase of their Ice Style collection @ RM99per timepiece, per participant who successfully register for the ICE-WATCH Light Up The Night Run 2016 which is valued at RM699. This may be redeemed at any time between 1st till 31St December 2016 with the voucher provided in their respective race kits.

For more information on the 'ICE-WATCH- Light Up The Night Run 2016', please follow the below:

ICE-WATCH Malaysia Official Facebook - www.facebook.com/ice.watch.my

ICE-WATCH Malaysia Official lnstagram - www.instagram.com/icewatchmalaysia

The Marathon Company Facebook - www.facebook.com/themarathoncompany