RUN EARNS SLOT IN BOOK OF RECORDS
~By Priscilla Dielenberg & Ng Su-Ann
A record number of 21,399 runners headed for the Penang Bridge in the wee hours of the morning to race in the Penang Bridge Marathon 2007. This was more than double the number of participants last year. This earned the event an entry in the Malaysia Book of Records for being the largest bridge run. Last year, there were only 9,022 participants.
This year's event attracted 800 foreigners from more than 50 countries including Kenya, Iraq, Macao, the Netherlands, Canada, India, Ireland and Venezuela. Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) director-general Datuk Haji Mohamad Razali Othman said the event not only promoted Penang worldwide but also helped to foster unity among many races. "This year, it is held in conjunction with the country's 50th celebration of independence and Visit Malaysia Year 2007," he added.
The event featured a 42.195km full marathon, a 22.3km half marathon, a 10km quarter marathon and a newly introduced 10km fun run which attracted more than 8,000 participants alone. There were 11 categories altogether.
The full marathon and half marathon were flagged off in front of the SK Sg Gelugor in stages at 3am, 4.30am and 5am, while the quarter marathon and the fun run were flagged off from Recsam at 5.30am. About 100 people took part in a 2km VIP Charity Walk from the MHA's northern territory office. The finish line for everyone was at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), and the large crowd enjoying the various activities on the main fields gave the place a carnival atmosphere.
Entertainment included songs by Amylea of Akademi Fantasia 3 and rock band Sarhat from Kuala Lumpur. Troupes from the Penang unit of the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage also put on a show, including a thundering drums performance and silamban, silat and wushu demonstrations. The MHA also gave out 2,000 copies of The Star during the event.
On Saturday night, sponsors and volunteers of the Penang Bridge Marathon 2007 were feted to a scrumptious buffet dinner at the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) northern region office. Also present were Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed and state Tourism Development and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow. Mohd Zin said the event would definitely strengthen the muhibbah spirit among communities. "I am also happy that the organiser is holding a charity walk as it is in line with government's aspiration to promote a caring society," he added.
The marathon was organised by the MHA and the Penang Municipal Council. The media sponsors were The Star, Nanyang Siang Pau and Tamil Nesan.
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