Sunday September 16, 2012
The walk is on tomorrow
By CAVINA LIM
cavina@thestar.com.my
Getting ready: Workers preparing the stage at Penang Times Square in Jalan Datuk Keramat for Penang Starwalk 2012. GEORGE TOWN: Participants of Penang Starwalk 2012 are in for a jolly good time as Penang’s biggest walk event returns tomorrow for its 35th edition, with record 21,672 entries.
Walkers are expected to enjoy the scenic views around the George Town heritage enclave, which covers Unesco-listed heritage landmarks, while indulging in a dose of healthy exercise in the early morning.
Participants may also bring their cameras to capture the picturesque surroundings along the way.
Roads for the 10km competition category and 6km non-competition category would be closed from 6am until the walkers have passed by.
The car park at the event’s official venue provider Penang Times Square (entry from Jalan Timah) will be open for cars to enter from 3.30am to 6am. After 6am, Jalan Timah will be closed until all the walkers have returned.
The parking at Penang Times Square is at a flat rate of RM5 per entry while parking at Prangin Mall is RM3 per entry from 4.30am.
Due to the huge number of participants and closure of roads in stages from 6am, participants are advised to report early for the walk.
Walkers have to report to the respective reporting centres between 5.30am and 6.25am (for competition category), and between 5.30am and 6.45am (non-competition).
Competition walkers will be flagged off at 6.30am from Birch House, Penang Times Square, and non-competition walkers at 7am.
Police have advised Starwalkers to carpool or take advantage of the free bus shuttle services provided by official transport provider Rapid Penang to reduce traffic congestion.
Rapid Penang will be providing free shuttle services to the venue at 10-minute intervals from 5am to 6am from three pick-up points — Weld Quay bus terminal, Sungai Nibong bus terminal and in front of Gurney Plaza (facing Gurney Drive).
Those coming from the mainland are advised to use the ferry which will leave the mainland for the island every 20 minutes from 4am to 6am to reduce traffic on the Penang Bridge and the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway.
Meanwhile, chartered school buses should drop off their passengers in front of the Sikh temple in Jalan Gurdwara.
This year’s non-competition route covers several new heritage and historical sites apart from the traditional landmarks such as Fort Cornwallis, St George’s Church, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Kapitan Keling Mosque and Sri Mahamariamman Temple.
The new sites include Sia Boey Market, Tan Kongsi, Chew/Lee Jetties, Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, Customs Building (formerly Malayan Railway Building), Logan Heritage, The Whiteaways Arcade, Pinang Peranakan Mansion and Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh.
After the walk, participants can look forward to the Starwalk Variety Show and a host of activities such as games at the many sponsors’ booths.
Participants who complete the route within a two-hour time limit will be eligible for a lucky draw which promises attractive prizes.
More than RM100,000 worth of lucky draw prizes comprising of 160 attractive prizes had been allocated.
Platinum sponsor YES is contributing hotel stays and F&B vouchers at Pangkor Laut, along with Eclipse (Android) and Buzz phones, woven bags and T-shirts.
Participants can also go for gold, as fellow platinum sponsor Genneva Malaysia has contributed fine gold wafers along with T-shirts.
Lucky draw prizes also include two Sony 42-inch LED TVs, three Samsung 32-inch LED TVs, 12 Samsung Galaxy Tabs, Nikon DSLR cameras, a HTC mobile phone and an iPad.
The other main sponsors are Medispec (gold) and Magnum, 100 Plus, Golden Screen Cinemas, Nikon, Pallas, Milo and BP Healthcare (silver).
Those who purchase a copy of The Star during Penang Starwalk 2012 will also walk away with an entry ticket to the Lost World Hot Springs & Spa by Night worth RM15 each, thanks to the Lost World of Tambun.
On top of that, those who sign up for a year’s supply of The Star plus a year’s free access to its ePaper for a special price of RM360 during a subscription drive at the walk will also take home a goodie bag and a choice of vouchers from Tesco, Jusco or Parkson worth RM50 as well as four entry tickets to the Lost World of Tambun worth RM45 each.
Subscribers are also entitled to a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 and an Osim uVenus air purifier at the lucky draw when they sign up. This lucky draw will be at the end of the month.
Penang Starwalk 2012 is jointly organised by The Star and Penang Amateur Athletics Association and endorsed by the State Edu-cation Department and Penang Municipal Council.
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