MERCY Malaysia Salt Trail Challenge draws keen runners
KOTA KINABALU: MERCY Malaysia Sabah Chapter together with Sabah Parks, Sabah Amateur Radio Society (SARS) and PACOS Trust organized the Salt Trail Challenge for the fourth time on Saturday.
The event, a fund-raising ‘Trek & Raise Funds’ initiative where participants themselves collect a minimum of RM500 to enter the challenge, took place at the Crocker Range Park. Funds collected from the event will be channeled towards MERCY Malaysia’s on-going humanitarian projects for communities in Sabah.
Salt Trail Challenge 2017 with a theme called ‘Trail of Hope’ attracted over 65 participants. The word ‘Salt Trail’ was used in the olden days by the folks of Tambunan, Sabah for barter trade. The villagers used to exchange their produce for salt.
This trail runs along the Crocker Range from Tikolod, Tambunan to Inobong, Penampang. It is called ‘Trail of Hope’ because the trail symbolized hope for the people in the olden days as this was the only route for them to exchange their produce for salt and other necessities.
Today, it is a trail of hope for the communities to seek better health-care facilities and an education.
“We have 40 volunteers who provided support in medical, safety, logistics, radio communication and marshal points. We are glad too because the community is very supportive of our event and have always looked forward to this event every year. We hope this great engagement will continue as this is a medium for MERCY Malaysia to spread awareness about our humanitarian work in Sabah. We also hope this event will be in the Malaysian tourism calendar and be one of the awaited running events,” said Jerry Ong, race coordinator of Salt Trail Challenge.
The flag-off ceremony was officiated by Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, chairman of Sabah Tourism Board, Dr Jamili Nais, director of Sabah Parks, Anne Lasimbang, executive director of PACOS Trust, Albert Henry, president of Sabah Amateur Radio Society (SARS) and Jerry Ong, race director.
There were two categories in the Salt Trail Challenge, the 12 km and the 25.5 km challenge. Both categories started at the Inobong substation and finished at Kg Terian. However, for the 25.5 km challenge, the trek proceeded from Kg Terian to Kg Buayan before doubling back to Kg Terian.
MERCY Malaysia Sabah Chapter Salt Trail Challenge is immensely fortunate to have the support of Ararat Sports & Souvenirs Sdn Bhd, See Khiong Trading Sdn Bhd, Tomher Industrial Sdn Bhd, Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, UMH Pharmacy Sdn Bhd, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa, ShangriLa’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa, KK Drinks Sdn Bhd, Sinurambi Bed & Breakfast, Jumbal Sdn Bhd, and all friends of MERCY Malaysia. Their kind support has truly helped in making this event meaningful.