By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Feb 20: Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Hamzah is looking forward to welcoming an estimated 250 participants comprising locals as well as foreigners at the inaugural Samarahan Duathlon on March 29 in Samarahan.
He believed Samarahan has the potential to host sports events like cycling and running because of its varied landscape and smooth roads to serve as tracks.
“At the moment, there are about 153 participants who have registered for the event.
“We hope that there will be more participants who will come forward and register for the event. As it involves two different physical activities, which are cycling and running, it will be challenge,” he said during a press conference at his office here today.
In spite of the challenge, he believed local and foreign participants are up to the mark and are prepared to test themselves at the event.
He revealed that the race will start at Summer Mall with participants running for six kilometres and then cycling for about 45km before running again for another six kilometres.
The event will be divided into a few catogories comprising single and team events.
On another note, Abdul Karim revealed that the Samarahan Duathlon has been mooted as a replacement for the Samarahan Bike Challenge event.
However, he urged the organiser to retain the Samarahan Bike Challenge because it is a popular event.
He observed the event which has been around for more than six years has attracted national cyclists as well as cyclists from other states and countries to join in past editions.
He also noted that the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) together with the Samarahan Resident’s Office will organise a half marathon run across the Samarahan Bridge, with
last year’s edition attracting more than 1,000 runners.
Thus, he hoped that there will be more people who will join the race this year.
Meanwhile, Abdul Karim revealed that the closing date for registration for the Samarahan Duathlon is February 29. — DayakDaily
