Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Duo Highway Challenge is Back with the First-ever Night Run

The launching of IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2019. From L-R: Ow Yong Jin Kuang, a celebrity runner from IJM. Dato' Soam Heng Choon CEO and MD of IJM Corporation Berhad. En. Zakri Khir, CEO of Allianz Malaysia Berhad & Sheela, two times overall champion for IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge.

Kuala Lumpur, 19 March 2019 - Following the success of the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge and the positive response the series has received over the past two years, IJM Corporation Berhad and Allianz Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Malaysia) have announced the extension of their partnership for this year's Duo Highway Challenge.

The popular run series will kick-off with the NPE Highway Challenge on 14 July with a unique distance of 21km half marathon challenge and 10km run respectively, followed by the Besraya Highway Challenge on 24 August which offers a much more challenging distance of the 26km and 13km run, compared to the 13km and 6km distances that was offered in 2017 and 2018.

From L-R: Mr Sean Wang, COO of Allianz Malaysia Bhd and Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) Bhd, Mr. Lee Chun Fai, Deputy CEO & Deputy MD of IJM Corporation Bhd, Dato' Soam Heng Choon, CEO & MD of IJM Corporation Bhd, Y.Bhg. Dato' Sr. Aziz Bin Abdullah, Director General of Malaysian Highway Authority, En. Zakri Khir, CEO of Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Pn. Wan Salwani Wan Yusoff, COO of IJM Toll Division & Mr. Eugene Chan, Group MD of EC Pixels

Since its debut in 2017, this year's challenge aims to attract more running enthusiasts with the exciting additions in distance in the Besraya Highway Challenge. Being the first ever duo highway challenge in Malaysia organized by Besraya (M) Sdn Bhd, New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd, and EC Pixels, this year’s challenge promises to be more exciting with the Besraya Highway Challenge being the series’ first night run, organized on a fully closed highway.

The night run gives participants a cooler and more comfortable running experience while enjoying the scenic night view of the KL city skyline along the route.

This year will also see the introduction of a relay run category for two runners with distances of 13km each.

“We are proud to announce the return of the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2019 as it gives runners the assurance for continuity and aligns with IJM’s long-term plans to continue contributing positively to sports and the community. We are excited to solidify the partnership between IJM, Allianz Malaysia and EC Pixels for the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge extension for another year. Just like previous events, we are committed to ensuring the safety of our participants, so they get to compete and complete the challenge on a fully closed highway worry-free without a single car obstructing the run routes. We would also like to thank the Malaysian Highway Authority for their continued assistance in ensuring the success of the event,” said Dato’ Soam Heng Choon, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of IJM Corporation Berhad.

This year, the organizers aim to attract 17,000 participants. The NPE Highway Challenge is expected to attract 10,000 runners and the Besraya Highway Challenge 7,000 runners.

Those who are quick on their feet will get a chance to win RM84,400. Runners will also get a special edition t-shirt when registering for the Duo Highway Challenge that is limited to 4,000 participants only.

Zakri Khir, Chief Executive Officer or Allianz Malaysia Berhad said “Running has been something Allianz Malaysia has been very involved in since 2013 when the company kicked off its very own Allianz Pacer Running Community in October that year. The IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge is just one of five running events that we will be involved in this year. When we agreed to be co-sponsors of this run, it was forged on a mutual goal of strengthening our commitment towards driving the healthy living agenda amongst Malaysians. And I can say proudly how we have been able to achieve this at every edition since 2017.”

CSR Presentation to Persatuan Bekas Polis Malaysia. From L-R: Mr. Eugene Chan, Group MD of EC Pixels, En. Zakri Khir, CEO of Allianz Malaysia Bhd, Representatives from Persatuan Bekas Polis Malaysia, Tuan Hj Hussin Bin Awang Ngah, President of Persatuan Bekas Polis Malaysia, Y.Bhg. Dato' Sr. Aziz Bin Abdullah, Director General of Malaysian Highway Authority, Dato' Soam Heng Choon, CEO & MD of IJM Corporation Berhad & Pn. Wan Salwani Wan Yusoff, COO of IJM Toll Division

“After organizing this run for the past two years, we wanted to go the extra mile for runners to encourage them to continuously push their boundaries and take up the challenge. Seeing that our returning participants have taken on the highway during the morning run we have decided to change the Besraya Highway Challenge to a night run. So that runners will get the opportunity to enjoy breezing through the highway under the stars. As safety is always a priority, it will be a fully closed highway and runners will get to enjoy the cool night breeze and city lights on the run route.” said Eugene Chan, Group Managing Director of EC Pixels.

With the aim of using sports as a force for social good, the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge aims to be more than just an ordinary running event.

Passionate about giving back to the community, the organizers donated to Malaysia Lysosomal Diseases Association last year as part of its CSR engagement. This year, 30 wheelchairs will be presented to Persatuan Bekas Polis Malaysia by Y.Bhg. Dato’ Sr. Aziz Bin Abdullah, Director General of the Malaysian Highway Authority.

Group Picture with the VIP's and Partners for the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2019

IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2019 is supported by our Title Partner: IJM Corporation Berhad and Allianz Malaysia Berhad, Platinum Partner: EXSIM & Touch N GO Digital, Gold Partner: Magnetic Control System & Nivea Men, Silver Partner: System Builders, Official Timing: Coros, Official Isotonic and Drink: 100 Plus & ICE Mountain, Official Online Portal: Justonline & Partners: Affin Hwang, IJM Land, RockTape, Sunway Pyramid, Sunway Velocity, Nestle MILO, Nestle Fitnesse and Movement First.

For more information on the registration, race and race kits, please visit: www.ijmhighwayrun.com or www.justonlineregistration.com Registration closes on 1 June 2019 for both Besraya and NPE Highway Challenge.

No comments: