KUCHING: More than 200 enthusiastic runners from local associations gathered at Green Heights Mall to take part in a run held by Kuching Runners United for the opening of Brooks, a new specialist store for running equipment recently.
(From left) Chairman of Hornbill Pacesetters Jogging Club Shannon Francis Lee, chairman of CJC Lee Kong Shin, Kuching Marathon Association’s Wong Cheng Yii, store owner Albert Tan, Michael Tan of Brooks’ headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and president of Reservoir Park Jogging Club TC Liew during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the opening of Brooks Run Happy Concept Store.
The runners were from O-run-Utan, City Joggers Club (CJC), Hornbill Pacesetters and Reservoir Park running associations.
The run, which started and ended at Green Heights Mall, began at 7.15pm and took 45 minutes to complete the six-km route through the housing area.
According to CJC chairman Lee Kong Shin, the run would mark the 24th week run for the association since they first started on April 9 this year.
The association usually holds its weekly runs starting from Kuching City South Council (MBKS) on Thursday 7pm. Runners can choose to take a 5-km route (around Jalan Mendu) or a 10-km route (off to Wisma Saberkas).
“As of now, the club has 120 registered members. Non-members are invited to join our weekly run,” said Lee.
Aside from that, the public has to pay RM2 for each run, the cost of which covers light refreshments such as fruits and drinks.
During their weekly run, Lee reminded those who joined to wear bright coloured T-shirts and blinker lights attached to shoes or clothes for safety purposes during the night run.
Lee added that one would have to join at least five runs to become a member of the club, as it encourages newcomers to be more committed in running whis is beneficial for health.
Another active running club, the Hornbill Pacesetters running club set up last year by a running enthusiast was registered by Pesuruhjaya Sukan Sarawak on July 15, 2013.
With the aim of fostering the running sport and marathon as well as encouraging runners to share their experience and do group runs, the club welcomes runners of all paces and distances interested in pursuing long-distance running.
“On our website, we (the runners) usually talk more on our marathon experiences from all over such as Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Singapore and some as far as Osaka or Tokyo and what was it like so that at least the public would have a rough idea of what the marathons would be like if they are to join in the future,” said committee member Justin Yeo.
As of now, the club has 50 members and hold midweek 7-to-10km runs every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 7pm from Le Park, Civic Centre.
On Sundays, the club organises a longer run (28 to 30 km) for those training for half or full marathon distance, starting from MBKS where the run starts as early as 4 or 5am depending on the distance.
According to Justin, running is fast gaining popularity among the public here, as part of a healthy lifestyle and running events have been gaining support from members as well as the public.
“At least now, we notice that drivers are especially aware of runners on the road so they would slowly give way,” said Yeo.
Officially registered by the Sport Council back in January 2014, local running club O-Run-Utan has 50 registered members in which non-members are always welcome to join the
club’s weekly run on Saturdays at 6am.
Runners would regularly meet at the car park outside AmBank at Jalan Padungan to start their 10-km route run.
“The whole idea of the O-Run-Utan club is to get people to be active, not necessarily running but just basically be active.
“It could be climbing mountain or just a walk in the park, anything besides just being at home and not doing any activity,” said Alex Liew, chairman of the O-Run-Utan Jogging Club.
“We have seen many runners who couldn’t even finish a two- or three-km run before, but now join local running events such as the Spring Live Active runs and Kuching Marathon,” Liew said on the benefits of participating in regular runs regardless of stamina.
Aside from running, the club has been involved with various activities such as climbing Mount Serapi and is looking forward to other activities.
Liew said the club was also planning to attend a run outside Kuching.