Media Release - Citroen Retro Run Malaysia 2016 - Cancellation of Event

With heavy hearts, we, the organiser for Citroen Retro Run Malaysia 2016, and on behalf of Naza Euro Motors, official distributor for Citroen automobiles in Malaysia, as its title sponsor; regret to inform that Citroen Retro Run Malaysia 2016 will be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and unavoidable matters that surfaced.

To all runners who have already registered, we thank you for your unwavering and unconditional support. We will be refunding your registration fees within 30 days via our registration portal MyRaceOnline. For those who have contacted us directly and registered manually, we will be processing your refunds via email and fund transfers within 48 hours.

We offer our sincere apologies for any inconveniences caused.

For further enquiries, please contact the organisers at groovy@myretrorun.com and for refund matters, please contact MyRaceOnline at 03 7960 0391.

Media Release - The Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 January 2016 – Jeff Lau has absolutely no hesitation taking up the Marathon des Sables challenge for the second time. The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) today announced that the 26-year-old Kuala Lumpur-born would be repeating the extraordinary feat he achieved in 2014, of being the youngest Malaysian to complete what Discovery Channel calls “the toughest footrace on earth”, to raise funds for MAF



Marathon des Sables is a six-day ultra-marathon spanning 251 km across harsh arid terrain in the Moroccan Sahara Desert. Entering its 31st edition, the race this year will run from 8 to 18 April and is expected to draw the participation of 1,000 top endurance runners and enthusiasts from all over the world.

“Although I have repeatedly said in the past that I would never again put myself through the most physically excruciating experience of my life, seeing the current HIV and AIDS situation in this country, I simply have no other choice than to continue running,” said the avid marathon runner.

“MAF is extremely proud of what Jeff had accomplished at such a young age,” remarked Professor Dr. Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Chairman of MAF.

“Young people in the 20 to 29 age group accounted for more than one-third of new HIV infections in Malaysia in 2014. Given the rise in sexual transmission of HIV, which in the same year made up 78 per cent of new HIV infections, the HIV epidemic is now more than ever affecting the young population.”

“This is why we need passionate young Malaysians like Jeff to take the lead on charting the course of the AIDS response and inspire other young people to join the movement,” she added.

Recognising the critical role of young people in the HIV response, the Ministry of Health Malaysia appointed Jeff Lau as Red Ribbon Youth Icon at the national World AIDS Day 2015 event last December.

“I am deeply honoured by this recognition, which I will use as a platform to spread the word to my peers and other young people about the importance of responsible sexual health behaviour, knowing one’s HIV status and access to early treatment for those who are living with HIV,” said Jeff who just recently graduated from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia with a bachelor’s degree in communication design.



Andrew Tebbutt, chair of the MAF Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge project committee said that in addition to increasing HIV and AIDS awareness, it looks to raise funds to support high-impact HIV and AIDS health programmes for underprivileged women and children, as well as HIV education, empowerment, advocacy and leadership programme for young people through MAF’s Red Ribbon Youth Club.

“While the AIDS response in Malaysia has shown remarkable progress particularly in the past decade, resulting in the 50 per cent decline of new HIV infections, financial resources to mobilise and expand the scale of the response continue to be limited. We are confident that having Jeff, who is a fervent advocate of HIV youth issues, on our side for the second time around will reinvigorate the interest of donors and public in our cause.”

The previous MAF Marathon des Sables Challenge, in which Jeff ran alongside Ralph Dixon, a fellow Malaysian and Trustee of MAF, raised over RM 80,000.



“We target to double the amount raised from the last time, and therefore are counting on the generosity of concerned corporates and individuals to send Jeff on his mission to change the course of the AIDS epidemic,” added Tebbutt.

The MAF Marathon des Sables 2016 Challenge is supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia, Ministry of Health Malaysia, and hospitality partner Hilton Kuala Lumpur who provided full sponsorship of the launch event.

Corporations and individuals who wish to make their contributions may do so by contacting Arif (MAF) at arif@mac.org.my or 03-40474257/012-9594596. An online crowdfunding drive is also ongoing via https://www.simplygiving.com/event/mds2016

Media Release: Sprinter Jenna Prandini and Fitness Specialist Jamie Granger Push Puma Spring-Summer ’16 Women’s Training Collection

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (15th January, 2016) – Global Sports Brand PUMA recognizes the demands faced by today’s women who lead an active lifestyleand today releases a performance range that helps them train to be fit and kick some ass.
Women of today are brave, confident, determined and joyful. Always pouncing, never settling for second. Embodying this attitude are two women who are making headlines in the sports worldPUMA’s running and training ambassadors sprinter Jenna Prandini and fitness trainer Jamie Granger.

Prandini, the reigning US 2015 200m Champion, never misses a day’s training, and said, “I need my training gear to be on a par with my intensive regime and the new PUMA Training range delivers just that."Granger, Rihanna’s personal trainer, enjoys training strength and power more than anything else. Granger attests, “ I cannot settle for a training gear that won’t keep up with my intense routine. I start with one or two heavy lifts followed by metabolic training that consists of full body exercise and explosive movements. PUMA Training products are highly reliable and makes me look good too.”

The Pulse XT Core Wn’s returns this season with great new colourways. It’s designed for agility training and offers maximum flexibility that features a full-length flex groove for dynamic, multi-directional movement. The Pulse XT delivers exceptional fit with the Ariaprene bootie construction for breathability, comfort and stretch. The EverTrain Footbed Technology adds resilience, comfort and bounce while the EVA midsole makes it lightweight. For hardcore traction, its solid rubber outsole pods provide full ground contact.



The PUMA Training range also offers a selection of sports bras to suit every women’s needs. With ample research and testing with their athletes, PUMAhas developed sports bras that deliver the right amount of comfort and support for any work out. The PWRSHAPE Forever Bra is perfect for every day usage and all types of workout. It provides support for a range of activity, from treadmill to track while the highly functional materials draw sweat away from the skin, providing extra comfort during exercise. Its stabilizing shoulder straps help minimize mid impact bounce control for that much needed support while its sleek racer back construction provides unrestricted range of motion.

The PWRSHAPE Cardio Bra gives unrestricted freedom of movement and provides maximum support, coverage, and power during high impact training, from long distance running to endurance routines. Highly functional materials draw the sweat away and keep the skin dry to ensure extra comfort during exercise. Ventilated moulded cups and power mesh back panel helps in breathability. Stabilizing shoulder straps aids in bounce control while an adjustable bottom band closure gives an easy fit.

The PWRSHAPE Tight offers comfort and confidence where it's needed most. Its superior stretch fabric and the flexible high waistband provide maximum compression, improving sports performance. Mesh side panels allow for breathability. Next-to-skin fit provides structure and uncompromising support during full range of motion. DryCELL technology draws sweat away from the skin and help keep to dry and comfortable during exercise. For extra confidence boost, bonding tape details and minimal seams create a flattering silhouette and reduce irritation.

The Spring-Summer ’15 PUMA Women’s Training collection will be available in your local PUMA Stores and sports specialist stores from January 16th.

Media Release: Nike We Run KL 21K 2016 Serves The Athlete To Be The Best On Race Day

Nike Malaysia enables runners with personal and digital services to help them run, train and live like an athlete

January 14th 2016, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Nike is set to elevate the running experience for Malaysian runners with We Run KL 21K 2016. Scheduled to take place on April 10th, 2016 in the heart of the capital city, Nike is enabling runners to unleash their inner athlete via digital and on-ground services.

“Nike believes in providing runners with everything they need to achieve their personal goals and reach new levels as an athlete in their own right. Through the variety of services available at retail and on digital platforms, runners will be guided, encouraged, motivated and inspired in preparation for the 21km race. They will work towards becoming a better runner each day and prove it to themselves on April 10th at We Run KL 21K,” commented Angelene Chong, Nike Malaysia Country Marketing Manager.

Nike Malaysia will be organizing a holistic 12-week training programme, powered by Coach in the Nike+ Running app, featuring a series of training sessions that cover different areas such as Speed Training, HIIT workouts and Distance Stamina. The programme will be brought to life and complemented at physical training sessions curated and supported by long-term partners of Nike and seasoned marathoners: Jean-Pierre Lautrédoux (JP), Shaharudin Hashim (Coach Din) and Teoh Sue Ling (Coach Sue). These three We Run KL Running coaches will share personal training tips, nutritional advice and personal experiences to guide, motivate and inspire runners to ignite the best runner in them.

Race participants who are Nike+ Running app users will be closely monitored on their training progress and be rewarded with additional services for their achievements. They will also be sent motivational messages to keep them going.

To further support their We Run journey, select Nike retail outlets will also be providing personalized services to assist runners in selecting the best gear for both training and Race Day itself. In-store services such as footwear trial and apparel fitting will be available to runners to fully equip them with everything they need to enable the athlete within them.

“We are tailoring our services to suit the new generation of runners who are constantly pushing their limits and take pride in being a runner, to keep them motivated and on track. With this in mind, we aim to be there for every step of their We Run journey – from finding the best and most appropriate footwear and apparel, to helping them realize their optimum training to be their best runner,” added Chong.

Registration for Nike We Run KL 2016 begins on January 16th, 2016 at www.nike.com/werunkl. Race registration details as below:

Registration period - 16th January 2016 - 11am onwards

Registration Information
www.nike.com/werunkl
support@werunkl.com
+6 017 607 2166
+6 017 607 2176

Registration Fee
RM 80 – 25 years old and above
RM 60 – 24 years old and below

Terms and Conditions
You must be at least 16 years old on January 15th, 2016 to participate in this race

Media Release: Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality – Malaysia’s Largest Night Run Series!

Kuala Lumpur, 7 January 2016 – Runners can expect three times the fun from the Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality as the popular night run series goes nationwide!

In addition to Putrajaya, the Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality will now also take place in Penang and Johor, making this the largest run series in the country.

In total, 33,000 runners will enjoy the starlit scenery of three of Malaysia’s most exciting and liveliest cities as they challenge themselves over a 5km, 12km or 21km course. Entry fees are set at RM78, RM88 and RM98 respectively for these distances, with a 10% discount for anyone running all three.

Runners who do complete all three runs will also be rewarded with a unique “trifecta” medal - a three-in-one medal that clips together – as a special memento to commemorate the experience and achievement.



Each participant will also get an exclusive high quality running shirt, fantastic goodie bag of gifts and cash vouchers at each of the three locations.



The first run will take place on the shores of Penang on 2 April 2016, followed by Putrajaya on 30 July 2016 and Johor on 7 January 2017 – one year from today! Each race will have its own colour scheme, which will be reflected in the running shirts, medals, and on-site branding: orange for Penang, red for Putrajaya, and blue for Johor.



The expansion of the night run series occurs as Men’s Health and Women’s Health announce AIA Vitality as the official title sponsor.

AIA Vitality which is to be launched by AIA Malaysia later this year is a wellness programme designed to encourage and empower Malaysians to take sustained steps towards healthy living lifestyles. AIA Vitality provides the knowledge and tools for members to improve their health, and rewards them for their effort through a variety of lifestyle rewards with partners as well as additional benefits on selected insurance plans purchased.

“The outstanding success of the Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run in 2015, which sold out 7,500 spaces in just a few weeks, inspired us to expand the event and create Malaysia’s biggest run series,” explains Graham Paling, Group CEO of Mongoose Publishing Sdn Bhd, the publishers of Men’s Health and Women’s Health in Malaysia.

“To deliver this enhanced experience, we needed a partner who shared our ambition and desire to present an event that reaches more Malaysians, so they too could enjoy the experience of running with Men’s Health and Women’s Health. We could ask for no better partner than AIA, and we are proud to announce that this series will be called the Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality.”



“It is a great pleasure to work with a wonderful brand like AIA which shares our brand values of helping Malaysians improve their lives and making themselves healthier in every sense of the word.”

AIA Bhd.’s Chief Marketing Officer, Thomas Wong says, “We are proud to be the official title sponsor of the Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality. The race provides a platform to celebrate vitality as a wellness goal, because being healthy is not just about looking good, it is about feeling good as well. By joining the Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality, every individual can be empowered to feel better, healthier and ready to take on 2016 with a more positive mind set.”

With many other sponsors in addition to AIA Vitality joining the night run series this year, runners can expect many fun and exciting activities on each of the running days. The Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality runner’s village will keep visitors entertained before and after their runs.



The Race Director for the Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality will be 21st Century, who also directed the night run in 2015. The categories for the 12km and 21km races will be Men’s and Women’s Open and Men’s and Women’s Veteran, in addition to the 5km.

The flag off for the Penang leg of the run will be at 8.00pm, where the starting point will be at Queensbay Mall in Georgetown, Penang.

Registrations for the race will open from today, 7 January 2016 and runners interested in signing up can find out more information and click to register at www.mens-health.com.my/nightrun or www.womens-health.com.my/nightrun

For more information on Men’s Health Women’s Health Night Run by AIA Vitality, please visit:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Menshealthmalaysia
https://www.facebook.com/womenshealthmalaysia

Twitter:
@menshealthmy
@womenshealthmy

Instagram:
@menshealthmalaysia
@womenshealthmy

Hashtags:
#MHWHNightRun
#AIAVitalityMY

Media Release: FOX Sports launches FixMyCourt effort to revamp worn out community-based sports grounds

IT'S GAME-ON AS WORN OUT COMMUNITY GROUNDS GET FACELIFT

Kuala Lumpur, 5 January 2016 – FOX Sports Malaysia has launched the brand new community enhancement efforts in refurbishing and revamping community-based sports grounds today.

The campaign, aptly named FixMyCourt aims give back to the local community by revamping public courts to allow a greater appreciation and love of the game. It will also promote and support sporting development from the community level as well as encourage a healthier way to spend time amongst the youth.

Believing that the fundamentals of sports are to be enjoyed among friends at the public parks or courts, Penny Tan, Marketing Director of FOX International Channels said, “FOX Sports recognises Malaysian sports fans as very passionate and the purest love of sports can be seen each evening when local youth engage in friendly games around their communities.”

“However, a significantly large amount of sporting courts within communities are very worn out and it has presented us an opportunity to uniquely enrich our viewers in the core essence of sports by refurbishing the facilities and providing a safer, more attractive way to enjoy their favourite sporting activities.”

FixMyCourt began recently as submissions for a fixed-up court by all Malaysians are now open. Nominations can be made via Instagram.

Nominees would be required to post a photo of the court’s condition on Instagram with the hashtags #FOXSportsGameOn and #FixMyCourt. Submissions close 13 January 2016.

For more information on FixMyCourt, kindly visit: www.foxsportsasia.com/foxsportsgameon.

How To Stay Healthy with S Health for the Samsung Gear S2

Health, fitness, and wellness are three significant words to achieving a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Thanks to today’s ever-evolving fitness trackers, consumers are more aware of their level of activity, are able to keep track of their fitness, as well as plan and manage their workouts seamlessly.

Samsung’s latest wearable, the Gear S2, and its in-built S Health function, is one device that offers the convenience of fitness tracking. The S Health incorporates the use of the Gear S2’s accelerometer and heart rate monitor that tracks movement, steps, as well as heartbeat. Easy to set up and personalize, the S Health function allows wearers to track their daily water or caffeine intake to encourage proper water consumption. In addition to this helpful feature, wearers can also manually track exercise by type and duration, and review their daily activity logs.

Let's find out how you can keep the New Year's resolution in check and get a fitter you with Samsung Gear S2.



How To Track Your Movement

They say variety is the spice of life, and this also rings true when speaking of a fitness regimen. As such, the Gear S2 allows you to manually log fitness activity by type of exercise to allow for more accurate activity tracking.

1. Rotate the bezel until you reach the Exercise screen within the S Health app.
2. Tap the arrow.
3. Select your desired exercise. (For example, tap Walking)
4. To use location-based services, tap Accept.
5. Touch the target time to adjust it, or rotate the bezel to the right to choose a distance or calorie target—or no target. (For example, rotate the bezel to the right to the distance option)
6. Tap START.
7. You can review your stats while you exercise. To pause your workout, touch the screen (Note: Swipe to the right to see Music or Duration, or swipe to the left to see Calories, Speed and Heart Rate).
8. Tap FINISH.
9. To end the workout, tap the Stop icon.



How To Step to It

Walking may be the easiest way to get exercise into one’s daily routine. Just about anyone can do it. You don’t need lessons or expensive equipment. Although one complementary tool that is particularly useful, not to mention motivational, is a pedometer. Studies have shown that the combination of this step-counting tool and a personal target step goal is particularly effective.

1. In the S Health app, turn the bezel to the Settings menu and tap Settings.
2. Rotate the bezel to the right and tap Step target.
3. Rotate the bezel to set your daily step target.
4. Touch SET.
5. Press the Back button twice, then turn the bezel left to the Steps menu. It will display the number of steps you’ve walked for the day out of your daily target.
6. Tap the number and turn the bezel left to review your steps history.



How To Rock the Beat (Your Heart Beat, That Is)

For overall cardiovascular health in adults, the World Health Organization recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity—exercise that increases your heart rate and breathing—per week. One way to monitor the intensity of your activity is to check your heart rate against the estimated maximum heart rate for your age. The Gear S2’s heart rate monitor lets you quickly check and track yours before, during and after exercise.

1. Turn the bezel to the right until you reach the Heart rate monitor.
2. Tap the monitor icon to start the heart rate monitor. The built-in sensor on the back of the device measures your heart rate.
3. Record your heart rate by selecting a tag that describes your current state. (For example, Resting or After exercise)
4. To view heart rate history, press the Back button. Then, tap the center of the Heart rate screen. Turn the bezel to navigate recorded history.



How To Stay Hydrated

Proper water consumption is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Not drinking enough water can lower your physical and mental performance, and lead to dehydration. Likewise, too much caffeine can cause a variety of health issues, from hypertension and dizziness to anxiety and agitation. As such, monitoring your daily intake of both water and caffeine is of the upmost importance and S Health makes the process considerably more convenient.

1. Turn the bezel until you reach the screen with the water glass or coffee mug icons.
2. Tap the plus sign to track the number of glasses of water or cups of caffeinated beverages you consume.
3. To review your water and caffeine intake, tap and hold down the icon. Turn the bezel to the left to review intake history.



How To Keep Track

When the Gear S2 recognizes that you’ve been moving for a particular amount of time, it will automatically track your increased activity as exercise and encourage you to keep it up with motivational messages. Similarly, it will notify you if you’ve been sedentary for too long and will encourage you to keep moving. In addition to this helpful feature, you can also manually track your exercise by type and time and review your activity levels for the past 24 hours.

1. Turn the bezel to the 24-hour activity screen.
2. Tap the center to see your current activity level. Tap again to see how long you’ve been at that activity level.
3. Then, rotate the bezel to the left to review activity levels for the past 24 hours, along with the amount of time you exercised, the type of exercise and your heart rate based on your input measurements.

NM Galaxy Running Events Calendar 2016

Here's the list of running events by NM Galaxy lined up for the year (as at 4 Jan 2016)


1. NATURA RUN FOR HOPE 2016
Date: 21st February 2016 (Sunday)
Start/finish location: Kompleks Sukan Air, Precinct 6, Putrajaya
Format: 15km Road Run, 10km Road Run & 3km Unity Walk
More Info : http://run.tixtac.com/natura-run/



2. THE RUNNING DIVA MALAYSIA
Date: 12th March 2016 (Saturday)
Start/finish location: Stadium Pusat Sukan, Universiti Of Malaya
Format: 5km & 10km road race
More info: http://run.tixtac.com/the-running-diva-malaysia/



3. ARMS '16- ALMS RUN MALAYSIA
Date: 20th March 2016 (SUNDAY)
Start/finish location: Swimming Pool Area, Sports Center, University Of Malaya, KL
Format: 5km, 10km road race
More Info : http://run.tixtac.com/arms16/



4. IJN Run For Your Heart 2016
Date: 10th April 2016 (SUNDAY)
Start/finish location: Taman Botani Shah Alam
Format: 5km, 10km non-competitive run
More info: TBC



5. SUPERHEROES RACE 2016
Date: April, 17th 2016 (Sunday)
Start/finish location: TBC
Format: Fun Run 3km, 10km & 15km road race
More Info :http://run.tixtac.com/superheroes-race-2016/

About NM Galaxy: NM Galaxy Sdn Bhd is one of the running events management in Malaysia. They have been operating since 2014 and their signature events are NM Galaxy Road Run in 2014 (4 Series in a year), Commando Elite Challenge (Military inspired obstacle challenge) and Superheroes Race which soon will be on 17 April in KL. Apart from managing our own and corporate events, they also provide an online registration platform for other event organizers at run.tixtac.com.

Media Release: evoSPEED SL-S Offers New Synthetic Upper To Super Lightweight Boot

Herzogenaurach, Germany (26 December 2015) – PUMA today launched the evoSPEED SL-S, the new super lightweight football boot with a synthetic upper that offers extra durability for everyday use. The evoSPEED SL was introduced by PUMA last summer for match days and special moments, whilst the new evoSPEED SL-S is for players that require the ‘lighter than light’ feeling also in every training session. PUMA players Sergio Agüero, Marco Reus, Antoine Griezmann and Marco Verratti will wear the new evoSPEED SL-S in the vibrant safety yellow and atomic blue colourway from today.

The super lightweight boot construction of the evoSPEED SL is now combined with a new monolayer microfiber upper material, which results in extra speed and durability for the everyday player. This new soft and durable synthetic upper material further provides comfort, stability and a better feeling of the ball. The flexible yet stable SPEEDTRACK spine in the outsole enables the player to perform quick turns, which is supported by the mixed stud configuration that improves players’ ability to react.



Sergio Agüero said, “These new boots are simply incredible. Players have different needs from their football boots, I like to wear the same boots in training that I wear in matches, which is just my personal preference. This new evoSPEED SL-S allows me to do that, which I am very happy about. To me, a light boot is very important, as it helps me to pick up maximum speed within few seconds or change direction easily, which is key to my style of play.”



PUMA today also launched the new colourway of the evoSPEED SL, which continues to be a key high performance product in the global sports brand’s football footwear offering. Both the new evoSPEED SL and the SL-S are available for purchase on puma.com and at global football boot retailers from Saturday, January 2.

PUMA today also revealed the new Vent Thermo-R Jacket, which includes specific vent placements that adapt to movement patterns providing improved temperature control in colder, windier and wetter conditions.

KL Tower International Towerthon Challenge 2016

KL Tower International Towerthon Challenge is a signature sports event for Menara Kuala Lumpur for the past 12 years. This staircase run has gained much popularity amongst local and international sports enthusiasts, young and old, to challenge the tower with 1 km run uphill before conquering 2,058 steps and reaching the top level at 283 meters above ground level. This event has become the spotlight of media attention over the years.

Since the inception of KL Tower International Towerthon Challenge in 1998, this event has been recognized and supported by Tourism Malaysia in the calendar of events. As such, in conjunction with the 12th years event, the next KL Tower International Towerthon Challenge 2016 will be the third Towerthon event to be held during sunrise, which will be held on 15th May 2016.

In a nutshell, the development of Towerthon has resulted in the formulation of a great sport, thus creating a healthy lifestyle and engaging closer ties among Malaysians and foreigners who participate in the race. Please call 03-2020 5444 for details.

Download the entry form HERE.

Register online at http://www.themarathonshop.com.my/kltower2016

Note: Entry closes on 8 May 2016 (6pm) or when 3,500 slots are snapped up.

Recap: Unforgettable Moments in Malaysia’s Running Scene 2015

As another year draws to a close, let's have a look back at what's brought us here. The good, the bad and the ugly in the Malaysia’s running landscape in 2015 as seen from our hazy eyes. Heheh! Were there other notable highlights of the year apart from the haze and more haze? Let’s have a look.


1. The haze that won’t go away
The incessant land burning from Indonesia has robbed us two of the most important marathon events in Malaysia, not to mention a series of other shorter runs. They were eithr postponsed or cancelled all together. Standard Chartered KL Marathon decided to call it off after the API reading shot through the roof on the eve of the run. Two weeks later, the Putrajaya Night Marathon suffered the same fate. It was the worst year for running! (Insert coughing sound effect here).



2. Hari Sukan Negara
The brainchild of Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, trying to get 3 million Malaysia off the couch and on their feet on 10 October. We love the idea of all Malaysian coming together to becoming a sporting nation but on the other hand why cramp all nice events into a day? We have like over 15 running events nationwide. Could have been better if they are spread over a month or something!



3. #KeepTheDate #SCKLM4Oct
Some people said it was hijack. Some people said it was a robbery. But whatever your mom called it, we were not very happy with the sudden date change of the Standard Chartered KL Marathon from 4 Oct (Sunday) to 10 Oct (Saturday), so that it would coincide with Hari Sukan Negara. With the help of the running MP, Dr. Ong Kian Meng, we staged a protest at Taman Botani Perdana to bring the date back to 4 October and we won! But the victory didn’t taste as sweet because the marathon was cancelled due to haze! Hurm…



4. Car-free Morning X2
Kudos for Kuala Lumpur City Council, DBKL on the Car Free Morning initiative in 2014. It got better in 2015 because the frequency is increased to twice a month. City-dwellers like you and me get to run, jog, walk, cycle, rollerblade, roller skate, skateboard, handcycle etc at peace in the city centre. INFO: https://www.facebook.com/carfreemorning

A photo posted by runwitme (@runwitme) on Jan 7, 2015 at 8:14pm PST

5. Malaysia International Marathon. NOT!
It was launched with much fanfare (complete with a theme song) in January only to be cancelled due to some internal problems in The Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM). The controversial Malaysian International Marathon (MIM) 2015 was planned at the Batu Kawan Stadium in Penang on May 23-24 as part of OCM's 60th anniversary celebrations. Read more about it HERE and HERE.

A video posted by runwitme (@runwitme) on Jan 29, 2015 at 7:49am PST

6. Under Armour arrived on our shore
The wait was over! The first store of the American sports label, Under Armour opened its door at KL’s leading landmark and shopping destination – Suria KLCC. Before the year is over, three more outlets opened at Pavilion, Sunway Pyramid and Mid Valley, making it one of the fastest growing sport brands in Malaysia!

A video posted by runwitme (@runwitme) on Jan 31, 2015 at 1:37pm PST

7. Nike’s Half Marathon Upgrade
A field of 8,000 athletes raced toward their personal bests at Nike’s We Run Kuala Lumpur 21K. For the first time, the race featured a 21K distance, making it one of three cities to host a half-marathon distance in the global Nike We Run Race Series, which aims to inspire athletes to push themselves beyond their limits and unleash their potential.



8. The Glow Debacle
OMG! We have not heard so many problems with a run before! And Glow 5.5km didn’t come cheap. At Rm101 (standard price) for a 5.5km run, it was definitely one of the most expensive runs in Malaysia. It was postponed to 16 May 2015 from 18 April 2015. Then the venue changed from KL Tower to Dataran Merdeka and then to Setia City Alam! And that were just the start of a slew of problems from technical glitches, Groupon problem, shuttle bus issue and cheap medal leaving thousands of angry runners. We hope all those demanded for refund go their money back! Read more about the grouches HERE.

A video posted by runwitme (@runwitme) on Jul 31, 2015 at 12:53pm PDT

9. Run Like A Werewolf
Move over zombies. On Friday, July 31st, 2015, Asia’s first ever werewolf-themed urban obstacle night race took Putrajaya by storm, leading over 2,000 participants through a series challenging hurdles over a 10km route. BloodRunner 2015 is the brainchild of local experiential agency, Switch Strategies Sdn Bhd, and is endorsed by Malaysia Major Events, an agency under the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.


10. Adidas The Official Apparel for SCKLM
Adidas, the world’s top sports brand has became the Official Apparel partner for the Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2015, supplying the authorised marathon racing top. Tailored to suit for the marathon, the licensed merchandise range included the Fall/Winter 2015 Supernova Glide BOOST running shoes series, the ‘run’ ClimaLite® top for men and women, a limited edition cap as well as a handy water bottle by adidas. Too bad the marathon was cancelled. (Insert a loud wail here).



11. Reebok Spartan Race Debuts in Malaysia
Reebok Spartan Race, the world’s leading obstacle race finally debut in Malaysia as one of the flagship events of the inaugural National Sports Day on 10 October. Obstacle course racing is now the fastest growing participatory sport in the world, which is reflected in Malaysia with organisers, Total Sports Asia (TSA) and Spartan Race Inc, opening up a second day of racing on 11 October due to demand.



12. Out from the haze, into the rain storm
It was a very unfortunate evening for Puma Night Run participants. The run was cancelled mid-way of the run due to heavy rain and thunderstorm. The rain storm sent runners running helter-skelter for cover. The start/ finish arch collapsed due to the storm and fell on a runner. Thank God, he was not seriously injured. For the convenience of the runners, PUMA Malaysia promised to send the medal and other entitlement pack to runners who did not managed to collect them that evening.



13. Beware of Scammers
Police are seeking a 29-year-old man believed to be the organiser of the Borneo Mud Challenge race that failed to take place on 27 September despite fees collected from participants. Kota Kinabalu police chief Assistant Commissioner M. Chandra said police are looking for a Jonathan John Jipil, from Kampung Potoki, Lok Kawi, Penampang, who became uncontactable after the event fell through. A total of 29 police reports have been lodged at various districts, involving some 153 people and RM20,267 in paid fees, with others, including international visitors, who have yet to make reports. Read more HERE.






14. Dubious Race Cancellation/ Postponement
There are a few road races that were cancelled without any solid reasons after money has exchanged hands. Short of being a scam, these race organisers decided to cancel the run at the last minute leaving runners hanging. . We wish to highlight it here and we urged those affected to lodge a police report if the refund due was not done. We as runners must know our rights as paying customers. Let's stand united to weed out bad race organisers. Rungasm, HRDF Half Marathon and Man United Supporters Peace Run, you are on our blacklist.





16. Till Running Do Us Apart
Our heart bleed when we heard about the unfortunate news. Two deaths were reported during running events in 2015. As runners, we should take responsibility of our own health and educate ourselves on how to run safely. Never, never run if you are feeling unwell. Check out safety tips from, fitness guru Dave Nuku HERE.



17. No Color Run
The run dubbed The Happiest 5K On The Planet did not materialised in 2015 after a successful run the year before. The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed race in which thousands of participants, or “Color Runners”, are doused from head to toe in different coloured powder at each kilometer. It was supposed to be held mid September this year. We heard the main sponsor pulled out after an unrelated incident in Taiwan where 500 people were injured when flammable powder exploded in midair in a theme park. Read about the Taiwan incident HERE and HERE.


18. The Age of Ultron
What is Ultron? We asked the CEO of Ultron. Her reply was simple. It is an abbreviation for Ultra Marathon. Basically, they want to produce apparels for active people who like to go the distance (literally or figuratively). Ultron has been very supportive of local races, sponsoring the running apparels made with their Microdry materials. Located at Nu Sentral, the Ultron retail outlet was officially launched on 20 December, giving runners like us a new destination for affordable trendy sportwear. INFO: http://ultron.club/

So there. 18 memorable moments in the Malaysia's running scene last year as seen from our eyes. We would love to hear your experience too. Do leave your comments.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!

Save the Date: Standard Chartered KL Marathon 2016 will be on 7 August 2016

#‎SCKLM2016‬

Save The Date: 7 August 2016 (Sunday)

Venue: Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur.

Entry Fees: http://www.kl-marathon.com/registration/entry-fees/

Online registration will commence in March 2016

Adele - Hello Parody (Hella Cravings) Lyrics

Hahah! One of the best parodies of Adele's megahit, Hello. Husband and wife Dustin and Genevieve Ahkuoi put their impressive pipes (and hatred towards exercise) to use in this hilarious Adele parody, renamed "Hello (Hella Cravings)."

Adele - Hello Parody

Hello, it’s me.
I’ve avoided you forever while consuming calories.
I love donuts..
Mac and cheese.
They say kale has antioxidants but I’m anti leafy greens.

Hello, can you save me?
I’m in calisthenics dreaming about Netflix and Mickey D’s.
When I was younger
These jeans used to fit me,
Now my booty’s got them bursting at the seams.

There’s more circumference
To my gut
And no gap between my thighs.

Hello cravings for some fries.
I did one push-up and I cried.
And my glutes are shaking
Every time that I lunge
And this gluten free bread
Tastes just like a sponge.

Hella pizza late at night
I keep saying just one more slice.
And I feel so
HANGRY
Breakfast, dinner and lunch
And the ice cream truck is the only reason I run anymore.

Hello CrossFit fanatic.
I know what you’re gonna say
I ‘ll get addicted once I’m at it
and I know you mean well
But if you shout at me
just one more time
I might commence to snapping.

It’s no secret that Zumba class
Is the last thing on my mind.

Hello stationary bike
That’s not fat my body’s crying.
Emotional scarring
With every squat that I’ve done
And this veggie smoothie
Makes me wanna throw up.

Hello wine and bagel bites.
Krispy Kreme gives me life.
and I feel so HANGRY
Breakfast, dinner and lunch
And the ice cream truck
is the only reason I run
Anymore...

Giveaway: THE WAVE Special Screening Movie Tickets

THE WAVE
It has happened before, it will happens again.

For many years mountain pass of above the scenic narrow Norwegian pose as a potential danger of collapsing. A geologist was assigned to study and take security measure of the potential catastrophe from happening. However the nightmare became reality when part of the mountain falls out and creates an 85 meter high violent tsunami.

Release date 31 Dec 2015
Language: English
Genre: Disaster
Director: Roar Uthaug
Casts: Kristoffer Joner, Thomas Bo Larsen, Ane Dahl Torp





The generous people at RAM Entertainment is giving 20 lucky readers of this blog two tickets each to watch "THE WAVE" Special Preview Screening.

THE WAVE Screening
Date: 29 Dec 2015 (Tuesday)
Venue: GSC Mid Valley
Time: 9.00 pm
Ticket Redemption starts from 8.00pm – 8.45pm at RAM Counter at Cinema Foyer.

Here's how you can get your hands on the tickets. Just send an email to runwitme@gmail.com with the subject "THE WAVE" not later than tomorrow 29 DECEMBER (Tuesday) 10am. Winner will be contacted via email by 12pm on the same day. Do include your FULL NAME, IC Number and Phone number. Tickets will be given out on first come, first serve basis.

Engineers For MAKNA Run 2016 @ University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Putrajaya Campus

What? Engineers For MAKNA Run 2016

When? 17 January 2016 (Sunday) 7:15am

Where? University Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Putrajaya Campus

Why? To raise funds for cancer patients in collaboration with Majlis Kanser Nasional (MAKNA).

Who? Organised by Society of Ingénieur UNITEN (IEM – SIR UNITEN), Student Chapter, University Tenaga Nasional

How far/ How much? 12km (RM40)/ 5km (RM25)

How to register? Click HERE.

Need more info? Click LIKE -> www.facebook.com/unitenmaknarun

Runwitme Says: This is a themed colour run, where you will get bombarded with coloured powder along the run. Be prepared to have lots of fun and laughter.