2nd Imperial Run next year going the full monty of 42km
MIRI: Following the smashing debut of the 1st Imperial Run, next year’s run in March will include the full marathon of 42km to pursue a bigger international field for sports tourism.
Its event manager James Ling disclosed this right on the heel of the successful 1st Imperial Run held here yesterday, which saw the participation of nearly 3, 000 runners from 12 countries including Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Japan, Kenya, Ethiopia, China, Taiwan and several European countries.
“We are taking things ahead with early planning to get ready for such a big scale event. Recent years have seen the soaring popularity of running events here. Thus, we assume that frequent runners are getting enough warm-up and we believe they are ready for a bigger event,” he said after the prize- giving ceremony.
Coming on the onset of state sports tourism being touted as ‘ the next Big Thing’, Ling also opined that big running events can contribute to the tourism industry and they are optimistic for a bigger international field in 2017. The inclusion of the full marathon ( IAAF standard: 42.2km) will mean going the full monty in addition to the present categories of 21km, 10km and 5km.
“This year, international runners made up 10 pct of the total participants and with more preparation and publicity in both mainstream media and the social network, we are confident that more will plan trips here,”
We are taking things ahead with early planning to get ready for such a big scale event. Recent years have seen the soaring popularity of running events here. Thus, we assume that frequent runners are getting enough warm-up and we believe they are ready for a bigger event.
he said.
Mayor Lawrence Lai and councillors were among those who attended the flag- off and prize giving.
The running categories were divided into 11 categories – 21km Men’s and Women’s Open, 21km Men’s and Women’s Veteran, 10km Men’s and Women’s Open, 10km Junior Boys and Girls, 5km Family Boys and Girls and Family Run (5km).
Adding to these, Imperial Run also dedicated two categories – Best 20 Malaysian Men and Best 20 Malaysian Women – for those who achieve the best running time, as encouragement for locals to take up running seriously.
In giving back to society, Imperial Run 2016 also contributed some funds raised in the run to five non-profit NGOs, namely Miri Sunflower PDK Centre, Pibakis Miri, Home for the Aged, Malaysian Diabetes Association Miri branch and Palliative Care Association Miri ( PCAM).
James Ling, event manager