Green Forest Run still lures them

By Y.P. SIVAM (from star-mero)

IT was a charity run and participants were certainly not deterred by the increase in entry fee when they took part in the Tanalised Forest Green Run at the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) in Kepong last Sunday. This year, the entry fee was increased to RM15 from RM10. About 700 people took part in the run held for the third consecutive year to raise funds for charity. This year, the beneficiary was Rumah Ozanam.

The run had six categories and was organised by Koppers Arch Wood Protection and Clark Hatch Fitness Centre. The sponsors were Milo, Gatorade, Brooks and Centrum. The other supporters were Axel, Bolt and Nut, Imaspro Resources, Darlie and Equal.

The men's senior category was confined to those aged between 18 and 40 while the women's senior category catered to those aged between 18 and 35. The runners in these two categories had to run 7.5km. Runners who took part in the men's veteran (40 and above), women’s veteran (35 and above), boys (13 to below 18) and girls (13 to below 18) categories had to complete 5km.

“There were no cash prizes but the runners still showed a lot of interest in the event. Their participation proved that Malaysians do support charity programmes,” said Koppers Arch managing director Eric Loh Kok Seng. “In fact, due to the heavy work involved in organising the run, we wanted to make the run a biennial event. ”However, the response from the public has made us change our mind. We will continue to organise the event every year,'' said Loh.

Clark Hatch International vice-president said the drop in the number of participants in this year’s run was expected. “However, the run still managed to attract the top runners,” said Lum. Veteran participant M. Iyannar said he was delighted to take part in the run for a worthy cause. “I don’t mind paying the increase in entry fee as it goes toward charity. For me, running here is a weekly affair. The route is interesting and I enjoyed myself.

The organisers should be commended for their initiative to raise funds for charity,” said Iyannar, who finished sixth in the men's veteran category. In the men's senior category, the top three places went to D. Vijiyan. P. Subramaniam and Pauzi Ramli respectively. G. Susila won the top spot in the women's senior category. Chong Yoke Fong and Cheah Meei Meei ended second and third respectively.

RESULTS
Men's senior: 1. D. Vijiyan; 2. P. Subramaniam; 3. Pauzi Ramli.

Men's vet: 1. Yew Chee Chung; 2. Tee Teck Bee; 3. Nasharuddin Baharuddin.

Boys: 1. Balu Muniandy; 2. Khairul Annuar Rosdi; 3. P. Subramaniyam.

Women's senior: 1. G. Susila; 2. Chong Yoke Fong; 3. Cheah Meei Meei.

Women's veteran: 1. Eng Seok Ling; 2. Pon Sew Peng; 3. Law Suet Cheng.

Girls: 1. Noranita Ahmad; 2. Nurul Fadzilla; 3. Yee Ee Ling.