Some 1,000 join The Shark Runner run
KOTA KINABALU: Around 1,000 runners took part in the JCI Tanjung Aru’s The Shark Runner at Tanjung Lipat here yesterday.
The short distance (5.3km) awareness-cum-fun run was JCI Tanjung Aru’s largest community project yet under its ‘Say No To Shark Fin Soup’ (SNTSFS) campaign.
Its aim is to spread and instill greater awareness among the locals to refrain from consuming shark fin soup and eventually to stop shark hunting.
Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) Department of Environmental Health Director Robert Lipon, who represented Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, flagged off the participants in the 5.3km run along Tanjung Lipat.
Current president of JCI Tanjung Aru, Lenny Yap, vice president Giselle Hiew as well as the organising chairlady Jennee Chang and her committee members were also present.
In addition, the project also received support from 77 volunteers comprising individuals and other NGOs such as Hunger Movement and Sabah Amateur Radio Society (SARS).
To distinguish itself from the conventional run contests, the unique event was the first of its kind in Malaysia whereby the runners were dressed with “shark fins” on the back of their jerseys and were then “hunted” along the run route by “hunters”.
This will enable the runners to “experience” the dreadful feeling of sharks being hunted by fishermen, and at the same time, to instill an awareness to protect shark population.
In order to spice up the event, various activities were also held such as lucky draws offering multiple attractive prizes, shark walk and judging of Best Costume award offering up to RM1,000 cash prizes, warm-up session and belly dance by Michelle Zumba, Magic show by MADS and booths selling food and beverages.
Theproject was a collaboration between JCI Tanjung Aru and Kota Kinabalu City Hall, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KKCCCI), Grab Car, and Sabah Amateur Radio Society (SARS).
Other distinguished sponsors for the project include F&N, Syarikat Lui Kim Chock Sdn Bhd (MOMA Water), Persatuan Syarikat Pengurusan Kelab Negeri Sabah, V Magic Skin Care Sabah, MADS Imagination, Michelle Yeo Zumba Fitness Instructor, Video Plus, Centre Point Sabah, Rainbow Enterprise, The Chamber Kota Kinabalu, and Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia.
For the record, The Shark Runner was the second community projects under the SNTSFS campaign after the Drawing & Coloring Contest in May.