SOME 4,000 runners from all walks of life today took advantage of their rest day by joining the ‘Peace Road Charity Run Penang 2019’ at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
To celebrate peace and charity through sports, the 7km and 3km fun run that started at 7.30am was also held to collect funds for some non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The run is an annual project of Universal Peace Federation (UPF), which collaborates with Asia Pacific University-Community Engagement Network (APUCEN) and Persatuan Kebajikan Asas Pulau Pinang (PKAPP).
Many of the participants clad in purple T-shirts were eagerly waiting to start the run at Minden field.
They later ran within USM campus with their family members and friends.
Penang Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, who flagged off the run, said the event was a noble act by the organising committee for creating awareness for peace.
He expressed hopes that such event should be carried out in yearly basis to encourage more people to take part.
“May this ‘Peace Road Charity Run Penang 2019’ be the beginning to celebrate the power of global solidarity for building a peaceful and sustainable world.
“Kudos for your giving and serving spirits to the community,” he said in his speech during the event in USM today.
Aside from the run, there were other programmes such as Zumba fitness dance, medical camp and educational booth.
All the runners were entitled to medals, refreshments and lucky draws after completing the run.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix courtesy of YB Soon Lip Chee’s office