Soh to defend Sibu title, Kenyan joins the climb
SIBU: Defending champion Soh Wai Ching and a Kenyan female marathon runner are among the stars to watch at the 3rd edition of the Sibu Tower Run which will be held at Wisma Sanyan on March 10.
International tower runner Soh is ranked first in Asia and fifth in the world. The 25-year- old from Selayang, Selangor was appointed as ambassador for Sibu Tower Run 2019 after he won the Men’s Open title last year.
After the Sibu event, he will immediately fly to Paris, France for another tower run.
Viola Jepchirchir Kimeli is no stranger in marathon, but a first timer in tower run.
The Kenyan had competed in numbers of events in Asia, including Kuching Marathon and the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon in Sabah.
A class of her own, Viola is expected to give the local runners a run for the money, though her own forte is on flat course.
“The presence of these two international runners is expected to add fire to the championship and we hope that members of the public here will turn up in full force to watch the runners in actions,” event organiser Andy Ting told a press conference yesterday.
Also presentwere Sibu Municipal Council ( SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King and deputy chairperson Rogayah Jamain.
Ting said the duo are among the 253 runners who have confirmed their participation in the race.
The run is divided into four categories – Men’s and Women’s Open (16 years old and above) and Men’s and Women’s Veteran (45 years old and above).
The Men’s Open has 133 runners, Women’s Open (79), Men’s Veteran (24), and Woman’s Veteran (17).
Ting termed the competition as an endurance test for the fittest and the toughest.
“Soh as our ambassador will help promote Sibu once he flies overseas for other international tower run events,” he said, adding that through his international connections, Soh can also help rope in elite tower runners from around the world for the 2020 edition of the Sibu Tower Run.
According to him, the objectives of the event are to promote a healthy lifestyle, raise the profile of Sibu internationally and sharpen the potential of the local runners in the sport.
The tournament is joint ly organised by SMC and Underground Runners Sibu ( UGRS) with the support from The Borneo Post, Utusan Borneo and See Hua Daily News as media partner and Moma, the hydration sponsor.
Participants must complete a two laps run along Sibu Town Square Phase I and II, Chuan Corridor, LKH Hospital Memorial Museum and the waterfront before proceeding up the 28-storey (126m high) Wisma Sanyan.
“The run is certainly not for the faint hearted as it needs all the courage and strength for the runners to conquer all the 627 steps of Wisma Sanyan,” Ting added.
The champions in al l the categories will get RM800 each while the first and second runners up to receive RM400 and RM300 respectively. Third and fourth runners-up will bring home RM100 each and RM50 for the 6th to 10th finishers. The 11th to 20th winners will each get RM20 as consolation. Those who completed the full distance will receive certificate.
Race packs can be collected at Paramount Hotel on March 8 and 9, from 2.30 to 6pm. Tiong is expected to flag off the runners at 6.30am.
The presence of these two international runners is expected to add fire to the championship and we hope that members of the public here will turn up in full force to watch the runners in actions.
Andy Ting, event organiser