Larian Perpaduan

IN conjunction with the 51st Merdeka celebrations, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry is calling on everyone to take part in its Merdeka Unity Run on Aug 17.
Its minister, Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, is chairing the integrated people’s committee, the run’s organiser.
The run will take place at Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur at 7.30am and end at the same venue.
The ministry’s secretary-general, Datuk Faizah Tahir, said the run’s objectives was to instil the spirit of patriotism and foster national unity among the different races.
Part of Merdeka celebration: Faizah with some of the forms for the run.
“Registration starts at 6.30am,” said Faizah during a recent interview.
“On the day itself, the Prime Minister will flag-off the 10km walk, while the deputy prime minster will flag off the 5km run.
“Ng will flag off the 3km walk.”
While the run is the main highlight, Faizah said a host of other activities had been lined-up for the crowd.
“For instance, there is a carnival with fun activities and a cultural show organised by the Unity, Culture, Arts, and Heritage Ministry.
“The public can also take check their sugar or cholesterol level at the free health screening clinics set up by the National Population and Family Development Board.
“We also have subsidised mammograms for women who are eligible at RM50 a person,” said Faizah.
She added that stars from Bintang Akademi Fantasia and Astro StarQuest would also be perfoming.
A crowd of 10,000 people is expected.
Faizah said the 12 categories of run would appeal to everyone of all ages.
The categories are men’s open (18 years and above), women’s open (18 years and above), men’s junior veteran (40 to 49 years), men’s senior veteran (50 years and above), women’s veteran (35 years and above), boys (13 years and below 18), girls (13 years and below 18), wheelchair men’s open (18 years and above), wheelchair women’s open (18 years and above), unity team event (a three-person team of three different ethnic groups), fun run (for disabled and primary schoolchildren) and fun run for families.
For the two non-competitive fun run groups, the distance is 3km, while the first three categories of men’s open, women’s open and men’s junior veteran will run the 10km distance. The other run is 5km.
Faizah said the run was open to Malaysians aged 13 and above for all categories, except the fun runs.
There is a participation fee charged for the different categories, between RM3 and RM15, except for the wheelchair categories and disabled participants whereby participation is free.
“Each participant, however, will receive a T-shirt and cap and a goodie bag that contains a voucher for snack pack. They will also be entitled to a lucky draw and stand a chance of winning prizes,” said Faizah.
She said in the category of charity run a corporate body could sponsor a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and pledge a donation through the National Welfare Foundation and run with the NGO on the event day.
“If the corporation does not identify any beneficiary, the foundation can do so on its behalf. All donations are tax-exempted.”
Interested participants can register at the 2008 Merdeka unity run secretariat, F.T.A.A.A office, Level 2, Wisma OCM, Jalan Hang Jebat between 10am and 6pm (Monday to Friday), and 10am to 1pm (Saturday).
Forms can also be downloaded from websites of www.kpwkm.gov.my, www.jkm.gov.my or www.lppkn.gov.my
The closing date for registration is two to three days before the event.
Participants will need to collect their numbers (for lucky draw) and T-shirts between Aug 14 and 16 from 10am to 6pm at the conference room of Wisma OCM.
For enquiries, call 03-2715 2843.