EX-EDITOR, DAUGHTER READY TO RACE
NST events focus on creating ‘muhibbah’, says Ahirudin
THE C-Cycle Challenge, which returns for the second year, is expected to attract 1,300 participants. The inaugural event, which took place at Eco Grandeur, Kuala Selangor in May last year, attracted 1,243, including participants from Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Norway, Germany and the United States.
The event is organised by the New Straits Times in partnership with property developer EcoWorld Malaysia. Treknology is the product sponsor .
Former editor and blogger, Datuk Ahirudin Attan, (known as Rocky), and his daughter, Ahirine, 22, will take part in this year’s event.
“In the past few years, there have been a lot of trek, cycling, and triathlon events,” Rocky said.
“Some may say that NST is coming in quite late in the game, but when NST does something, it always creates events that are successful.
“There are many corporate social events that have managed to foster togetherness; bringing together every Malaysian to focus on creating a sense of muhibbah (togetherness).
“When NST did this for the first time last year, many of us did not hesitate. We wanted to be part of it, given that NST has a long history of creating successful events like this. We chose to be part of a programme that fosters social interactions among all races.”
This year, Rocky said, his personal goal was to finish the race on time.
Rocky’s spirit of adventure is shared by his daughter.
“I try to keep up with my dad,” Ahirine said.
“We are determined to finish this time. I look forward to joining events with my dad. It is always a fun challenge. My advice is to get enough sleep, maintain a proper diet and focus on carbo-loading two to three days before the event as you will definitely need the energy.”
This time, the event will take place at Eco Sanctuary in Kota Kemuning, Teluk Panglima Garang, Selangor, on Sept 23.
The race will be flagged off from EcoWorld Sales Gallery@Persiaran Eco Sanctuary and will follow the route of Persiaran Rimbayu–Jalan Johan Setia–Jalan Klang Banting–Jalan Chodoi–Jalan Morib Tanjung Sepat–Jalan Sepang–Jalan Sijangkang Utama.
There will be four race categories — Men’s Open (18–39 years old), Women’s Open (18 and above), Men’s Senior Open (40 and above) and Team Cycling Open, a line-up that must comprise a minimum of six riders from the above categories.
The Fun Ride features two categories — Corporate Senior Open, which is open to corporate senior management by invitation, and Open category, which is open to all participants.
The participation fee is RM160 per person for the four race categories and RM50 for the two Fun Ride categories. Contestants stand to win RM37,700 in prize money.