THE annual Penang Hill Heritage Forest Challenge is set to make a comeback this year after a two-year-long hiatus!
It is scheduled to take place on Aug 21 (Sunday).
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the 15.5km challenge is open to all with good stamina for the exhilarating race.
“The route will lead runners through the evergreen trails of the 130-million-year-old rainforest of Penang Hill, starting from the Quarry Recreational Park and ending at the Dataran, Penang Hill upper station.
“Since its inception in 2014, Penang Hill Heritage Forest Challenge has always received an overwhelming response and earned its reputation as a popular sporting event that attracts thrill-seekers and avid runners as well as enthusiasts from all walks of life.
“After all, the objective of this event is to promote Penang as one of the popular eco-tourism destinations and to instil awareness of environment conservation and heritage preservation of Penang Hill,” Soon told a press conference at the Penang Hill lower station today.
Also present were Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng and Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng.
Cheok said for this year, PHC would collaborate with Actife Style Concept Sdn Bhd, Penang Hill Residents’ Association and Penang Amateur Athletics Association to organise the event.
“The event also is endorsed by the Penang government through the YB Soon office,” said Cheok.
According to Cheok, PHC hopes to attract as many as 900 participants for this event.
“Registration is open to Malaysians and international participants under the following categories namely Men’s Open (aged 18 – 34), Men’s Junior Veteran (aged 35 – 49) and Men’s Senior Veteran (aged 50 and above).
“Meanwhile, for women categories, we have Women’s Open (aged 18 – 39) and Women’s Veteran (aged 40 and above).
“There is an International Open category, but if there are fewer than 50 entries, the organiser reserves the right to cancel and refund the registered participants.
“Interested participants should also undergo proper preparation, training and acclimatisation to the demanding terrain and elevation changes of the route, in their quest to be crowned as champion of the event.
“The registration can be made online starting from today at http://www.actifestyle.com/events/PHHFC2022,” said Cheok.
He added that the registration fee is RM55 per person for early bird registration from May 12 until 31 while the standard registration fee is RM65 from June 1 until 30. The last day to register is on June 30.
“All participants are also entitled to an e-certificate, T-shirt, medal, and goodie bag. Those who complete the run also will be entitled to lucky draws as well,” he added.
Cheok said the champion of Penang Hill Heritage Forest Challenge will win RM1,500 while the second and third prize winners will receive RM1,000 and RM500 respectively.
“There are also five consolation prize winners. Each will receive RM200,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi