Fitness for Everyone! Affordable Fun at the Decathlon Family Fun Run 2024

Forget the treadmill, ditch the dusty dumbbells, because the Decathlon Family Fun Run is here to inject a shot of pure fun into your fitness routine! This year, a whopping 2,000 runners (that's a sea of red!) turned out to celebrate the grand opening of the new Decathlon store at Nu Empire Shopping Mall

3.2.1.... Go....

The 5km run was flagged off at 7.00am promoptly.

The starting line buzzed with energy as a wave of red-shirted runners took off right from the Decathlon store entrance. The course then became your own personal victory lap, winding through the scenic streets of SS16. Take in the sights of the Subang Raquet & Golf Centre Park, cruise down Jalan Kemajuan Subang, and high-five history as you pass iconic landmarks like Subang Parade and the Mesiniaga building.  

A wave of red energy

Sunrise! Sunrise!

A refreshing water station near Subang Parade kept runners hydrated as they conquered the streets.

The finish line offered a well-deserved reward – a finisher tee, a small towel (though a temporary stock shortage caused a bit of a wait), a Decathlon shopping bag, and a cool RM10 voucher to spend at the brand new Decathlon store! Participants also enjoyed a post-race bread roll and a Celsius drink to refuel after their run. However, there was no finisher medal provided. 

What Participants Loved:

1. Affordable Registration: The low registration fee, especially the early bird price of RM20, made the event accessible to a wide range of people. Note: It was sold out in 9 hours before even could start the normal price which was RM25.
2. Great Value: The finisher pack, complete with multiple goodies and a shopping voucher, offered excellent value for money.
3. Family Fun: This event is perfect for creating lasting memories with loved ones, regardless of their age or fitness level.
4. Early Shopping: Decathlon opening its doors early for runners allowed for a seamless transition from the run course to the shopping aisles.

The queue to collect the post-race goodies stretched out to the main road.

Congestion at the finisher tee distribution counter

A runner collecting her Decathlon bag and a small towel

Areas for Improvement:

1. Finish Line Flow: The single counter for collecting finisher tees and towels caused long queues. To avoid congestion in the future, multiple counters categorized by t-shirt size could be implemented.
2. Refreshment Station Lines: Similar to the merchandise collection, more counters for the bread rolls and drinks could help expedite the post-race experience.
3. Inventory Management: Having a better stock management system would prevent runners from waiting for essential finisher items.

The Verdict: A Fun and Accessible Run with Room to Grow

Despite a few hiccups at the finish line, the Decathlon Family Fun Run was a fun and affordable event. The overall experience was positive as it offered a great "return of investment" with the finisher pack and shopping voucher. Plus, the chance to explore the new Decathlon store right after the run was a major perk.

The Decathlon Family Fun Run is a fun and affordable way to promote an active lifestyle with your loved ones. This event brought the community together in such a positive way. I hope Decathlon can share the fun with other neighborhoods by hosting the Family Fun Run at different stores!

Watch the Instragram Reel - HERE.