Run supporting wildlife conservation to be held on Dec 17
KUCHING: Hotel giant Hilton Kuching is raising awareness of wildlife conservation by partnering with Wildlife Conservation Society Malaysia Program ( WCS Malaysia) for the third annual ‘ Run for the Wild’ on Dec 17.
“Hilton Kuching has long been associated with a culture of developing lasting relationships within the community and is delighted to work with WCS Malaysia, supporting conservation of orangutans, and preserving sharks and stingrays by providing much needed respite to the runners who will be ‘Running for the Wild’,” said Hilton Kuching general manager Hamish Watts.
“Furthermore, we are excited to work with Sarawak Artists Society (SAS) once again to showcase their work to participants and hotel guests.
“The hotel has long been associated with WCS Malaysia and SAS and as a recognised landmark in Kuching city, we are eager to showcase Sarawakian hospitality to our guests – local and international,” added Watts.
Runners of the 10 km route will be making a pit stop at Hilton Kuching to recharge before heading back to longtime partner in conservation events, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus.
The 5km and 10km runs and 1.5km walk will all be flagged off at Swinburne campus, and participants will finish and collect their medals there as well.
There at the university’s multipurpose hall, participants and the public will enjoy a WCS Malaysia conservation presentation and side activities such as a children’s conservation colouring contest, face & henna painting and zumba session.
Apart from providing light refreshments to the runners, the hotel will be promoting the virtual run to its guests.
To- date, the virtual run category has over 200 registered participants from 30 different countries with organisers aiming to hit the 32- country mark and matching the World Cup.
“The Virtual Run last year showed the support 26 countries had for orangutan, shark and ray conservation in Sarawak,” said director of WCS Malaysia, Dr Melvin Gumal.
“It’s encouraging to see us surpass that number this year with virtual participants from New Zealand to Russia and USA.
“Let us hope for continued support for all these animals as indeed our iconic wildlife have endeared themselves, not just to Sarawakians but citizens globally,” added Gumal.