By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 6: Registration for Sacofa’s ‘Connecting With The Community’ Run 2019 to be held on Jan 6 has been extended due to overwhelming response.
Sacofa managing director Zaid Zaini said the registration, which was supposed to be closed today, would stay open until it reaches the maximum of 3,500 participants.
The initial target was 2,000 runners, he said, but so far 3,316 runners have registered.
“We are pleasantly surprised and delighted with the keen participation in this run from the public and the generous outpour of support from the business community,” he said during a mock cheque presentation ceremony at a leading hotel here.
“As this is our first organised run open to the public, we initially wanted to keep it to 2,000 runners, but we reached this target 24 days before the planned closing date. So, we decided to open the registration to 3,500 runners.”
On the core essence of the run, Zaid explained they wanted it to be meaningful, promote a healthy lifestyle and “connecting people”.
He revealed that Sacofa had also reached out to various organisations for sponsorship for the run in monetary form or in-kind.
“This was done to supplement funds for our ongoing community development programmes,” he elaborated.
Zaid, thus, thanked the 16 sponsors based in Sarawak, Peninsula Malaysia and India for pledging funds and in-kind contributions worth a total of RM245,000.
“The majority of the sponsors for this event are our contractors and suppliers with whom we have a wonderful business relationship. These are reputable companies with an excellent and consistent track record of delivering works, services or supplies on time with a focus on quality and safety,” he said.
Present at the symbolic mock cheque presentation ceremony were Platinum, Gold, Bronze and In-Kind Sponsors of the run, Sacofa management, Grit Event Management chief executive officer (CEO) Awang Saifeluddin Awangku Karum and organising committee members.
The runs are divided into 3km (Fun Run), 5km and 10km. There will be peripheral attractions such as food trucks and car boot sales. All three running routes will start at 6am from the Old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Building, which is also the finishing point.
The 10km route will pass Jalan Tun Salahuddin, Jalan Demak, Jalan FAC, Jalan Casuarina and Jalan Stadium. The 5km run will cover Jalan Tun Salahuddin, Bangunan Bailtulmakmur (Masja) and Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub, while the 3km run will pass Jalan Tun Salahuddin.
Race entitlements for all registered runners include a micro-dry fabric race T-shirt, bib, finisher medal, drawstring bag, towel, and 16GB pen drive.
Top 10 winners in the Men’s 10km and Women’s 10km categories will win cash prizes totalling RM3,200.
Race pack collection will be on Jan 4 and 5 at Sarawak Plaza. For more information about the run, visit gritevent.com/sacofarun or call Josh Tan (016-8882794) or Sacofa (082-230239). — DayakDaily
