International runners competing in largest Labuan’s 20km run
The inaugural LLPM’s 20th Anniversary Run (Larian Ulang Tahun Ke-20), which offers prizes of over RM100,000, has received overwhelming response with participation of 1,200 international and domestic sports athletes.
In addition to runners from inter-Borneo Labuan, Sabah and Sarawak, entries from Kenya, Morocco, Algeria, the Philippines and Brunei were also recorded for this 20km (Race Run) and 5km Fun Run.
Its patron, Datuk Seri Mohd Alias Abd Rahman, said the increased participants helped boost the run sports in the dutyfree-island of Labuan.
“In fact, we do not expect the number of participants to increase each day since the registration campaign kicked off last month and has reached 1,200 participants,” he told a press conference at the Desa Tunas Hijau yesterday, the venue of the run.
Earlier, Alias with joint patron Datin Seri Norsiah Abdullah presented 10 run T-shirts to selected participants.
He also said the run, which was initially expected to only reach 300 runners following the overlapping of run programs in Sabah and had exceeded the targeted number, showed the need for the run sports to be intensified in efforts to help the government to create a healthier community.
The run to be held on August 25 is a corporate social responsibility of Labuan Liberty Port Management Sdn Bhd (Labuan Port Operator).
The event is the largest run program with the highest participation and prize money in the history of Labuan’s run sports, with the first prize to be grabbed is RM20,000, second place RM1,500, third place RM1,000, and consolation prize for top 10 runners in four categories, - men and women open and men and women veteran.
Lucky draw prizes with the ‘grand’ prize being a HarleyDavidson motorcycle is also up for grabs.
The run is co-ordinated by JHK Events and its founder Jamil Kario said the high participation rate was a challenge for them.
“However, preparations have been made in advance to ensure that the run will be successful with the help of government security agencies,” he said.