TWO annual events to commemorate the recognition of city status given to the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) in 2015 will be held on Penang Island in the first week of next year.
The City Walk 2025 will take place in Esplanade on Jan 1 while the City Ride 2025 will be held at Beach Street on Jan 5.
Speaking during a press conference at City Stadium today, MBPP Corporate and Community Management Department senior assistant director Khairol Izwan Salamat said the City Walk 2025 has attracted some 3,500 participants so far since the registration opened.
“We aim for 10,000 participants to join in the 5.5km walk at the heritage enclave. We expect an overwhelming response from the public soon.
“In conjunction with the City Day celebration, the event will start at 7am, while Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran and other distinguished guests are set to join the walk as well,” he told reporters here today.
Khairol Izwan said the 5.5km walk will traverse Penang’s heritage enclave before ending at the Esplanade, offering participants a chance to capture the city’s beauty.
“This event aims to promote an age-friendly city in line with the Penang2030 vision. We hope more people will come forward to join this yearly event,” he said.
Khairol Izwan added that the Esplanade will be closed during the event, with other routes monitored by enforcement officers and police for safety measures.
“Those joining the walk stand a chance to walk away with some 100 lucky draw prizes, with a motorcycle as the grand prize,” he said.
Registration fees are RM10 (kids) and RM20 (adults), with free entry for those born on Jan 1. The participants can collect the goody bags on Dec 27, 28, and 29 at City Stadium.
Meanwhile, for City Ride 2025, Khairol Izwan said the ride will cover 82km round the island loop, pointing out the registrations are open only for 500 participants.
“The ride will start from Beach Street and end in Esplanade. The cyclists are set to pass through Weld Quay, Jelutong Expressway, Jalan Permatang Damar Laut, Jalan Batu Maung, Jalan Teluk Kumbar, Pulau Betong, Jalan Balik Pulau, Jalan Kampung Terang, Jalan Bharu, Jalan Sungai Pinang, Jalan Sungai Rusa, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, Jalan Tanjong Tokong, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Persiaran Gurney, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Lebuh Farquhar, Lebuh Light, and back to Esplanade,” he said.
Chow, Rajendran and other guests are set to be present as well during the ride that will be flagged off at 6.30am.
Registration fees for the ride are RM30, while the cyclists can have the chance to win a bicycle for the grand prize.
Both City Walk 2025 and City Ride 2025 registrations can be accessed at Howei.com
Also present during the press conference was MBPP Corporate and Community Management Department director Muhammad Muashraf Mohamed.
Story and pix by Edmund Lee