Port Dickson run now in its third year

PRIZES worth RM40,000 are up for grabs at the Port Dickson International Half Marathon to be flagged off at the Admiral Marina and Leisure Club in Port Dickson on May 25.

This will the third consecutive year the event was being held in collaboration with the Negri Sembilan Government, the state Tourism Action Council, the state Tourism Promotion Board and the Negri Sembilan Amateur Athletics Association with support from the Port Dickson Municipal Council and Avillion Port Dickson.

State Tourism, Unity, Culture, Arts, Heritage and Malay Customs committee chairman Mohamad Razi Kail said 3,000 people were expected to take part in this year’s run.

“We have 242 participants from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Nepal and Kenya. We’re hoping to see an increase in numbers from last year’s 2,045 participants,” he said.

This year’s event will be spread out over two days - May 24 and 25 - as it will include complementary activities like a mini-marathon for students, including mentally and physically challenged children, performances by local artistes, a special VIP and celebrity run, health checks, an exhibition of traditional games, a fancy dress competition for children and telematches.

“The activities are in line with a campaign to promote Port Dickson as an international holiday destination and a health and wellness zone,” Mohamad Razi said.

Malaysia’s first astronaut Negri Sembilan-born Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor has been signed on as an icon for both the PD International Half Marathon and the upcoming PD International Triathlon in July.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar said he agreed to be part of the event as he was keen to promote healthy activities among the youth.

“I want children to be inspired by events like these that focus on physical and mental strength,” he said, adding that he hoped to see active participation from the young.

The PD International Half Marathon is divided into nine categories, the first being the half marathon (21km run) open to men and women aged 18 years and above (categories A and B).
The second is a 11km run (categories C, D, E, F and G) which includes the men’s and women’s open (18 years and above), men’s veteran (above 40 and under 55 years), men’s senior veteran (55 years and above) and women’s veteran (35 years and above).

Schoolchildren (categories H and I) will be able to participate in the 11km run for those aged 13 to 17 years.

Entry fee is RM20 for the half marathon, RM15 for the 11km run and RM5 for school- children.
The event’s sponsors include Power Bar, 100Plus, Milo, Spritzer, Brooks, CCM Pharmaceuticals (Sloan's, Uphamol and Flavettes), Lam Soon Products (Antabax) and TriSportz Event Management.

For enquiries and entry forms, contact Admiral Marina and Leisure Club at 06-647 0888 or the secretariat at 06-765 9870/71. Keen athletes can also register via e-mail at guest.relation@rpb.com.my.