Running for the love of Penang

Mothers Rohiza, 43, Roshada Mat Rashid, 45, and Basyirah Mat Rashid, 37, happy to get a Mothers Day kiss from their daughters during the fun run.

The Vision Park in Kepala Batas was flooded with 10,000 participants who took part in the Love Penang Run 2023.

This year the event was held on the mainland after being staged on the island last year where it attracted the same number of participants.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that the mainland was chosen so that people could enjoy activities at the run.

“In line with the objective that inspired the Penang government to launch the Love Penang campaign, which is to reinvigorate the social life of the people after the Covid-19 pandemic, we hope that this year’s event will be able to realise these wishes and dreams.

“Through this effort, the state government also hopes that the beauty and cultural diversity that makes this state special can be better felt and enjoyed together,” said Chow before flagging off the run.

Also present were Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, state youth and sports committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, Seberang Prai City Council mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad and Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran.

Chow said he hoped that interesting programmes such as this would allow everyone in Penang to involve themselves in healthy activities in line with the Penang Vision 2030.

Coincidentally, the run was held on Mothers Day.

“Mothers play a very important role in giving birth to harmonious families that bring prosperity to the community as a whole.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the mothers here,” he said.

Chow also thanked the organising committee, federal and state agencies, sponsors, volunteers and all those involved either directly or indirectly in ensuring the smooth running of this programme.

Teacher Rohiza Mat Rashid, 43, from Tasek Gelugor said she was happy to take part in the run with her daughters Syaza Hawani Mohd Syukri, nine, Syaza Safiya, 11, and Syaza Qaisara, 14.

Rohiza said that she hadn’t been running for a long time, so it was an opportunity for her to spend some quality time with her daughters while taking in the fresh morning air.

“Two of my daughters will be heading back to their hostel in Penang Island and I am happy to be able to spend Mothers Day walking with them.

“This was a special day to be with my children,” she added.

Gobal Krishnan, 61, a retired engineer from Batu Kawan, said he enjoyed the fun walk with his wife S. Tanapakiam, 52, and daughter G. Narshini, 27.

Gobal said the location for the run was good as the roads were wide and without obstructions.

He added that the event was well organised and things went smoothly despite the huge crowd.

Chef Yeoh Teik Keng, 61, said he took part alone in last year’s Love Penang Run on the island.

This time he brought along his wife Leong Siew Kin, 59, and daughter Yeoh Yui Shan, 31.

“As it was a fun run and not a competition, we took our time.

“It took us more than an hour to complete the distance.”

He said some participants walked from start to finish while others ran or jogged.

“I hope that the Penang government will organise this event again next year,” he added.