Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin (on stage, wearing blue) after flagging off the International Songket Run 4.0 at Management and Science University in Shah Alam. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
THE 5km International Songket Run 4.0 was the perfect occasion for Azreen Zaid to spend quality time with her son who has autism.
Joining Azreen, who was dressed in a turquoise-gold thread songket outfit, were other parents and their special needs children.
Azreen (bottom row, right) with her son, other parents and their children at the event.
The run, held by Management and Science University (MSU) in Shah Alam, was flagged off by Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
Azreen said the group of 20 parents and 13 special needs children had bonded over numerous fun walks and runs over the years, and formed a support system.
“We have special needs children and they have their challenges,” she said.
“They may be extra sensitive to noise and the public may not be able to relate to them sometimes.
“We meet parents with special children during these fun walks.
“We have become good friends and head out for more walks together.
“Our children are also at ease when they see other children like them.
“And we help to look out for one another during the walks as we sometimes need extra hands,” said Azreen.She was among the 6,600 participants who turned up at the MSU fun run event, a number of whom were dressed in songket.
Decked in songket, Siti’s cat received plenty of attention at the exhibition.
MSU president Prof Tan Sri Dr Mohd Shukri Ab Yajid said the run was part of the university’s commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“This event focuses on goals such as good health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities as well as partnership,” he said.
The run had two categories – 5km and 10km – with routes taking participants around Section 13.
Both routes start and end at MSU.
The event received support from event partners such as MSU Medical Centre, National Heritage Department, Malaysian Songket Fashion Award, Kembara Events Solution, Affin Bank, Decathlon, HP Malaysia, Acer Malaysia and Acapella Suite Hotel.
The event debuted in 2018 and was also held in 2019 and 2023.
In 2018, the event made it into the Malaysia Book of Records for “The Largest Number of People Wearing or Having Songket Elements As Part of Their Attire”.
In 2019, it was acknowledged as “The Largest Participation in a Songket Running Event”.
Activities in conjunction with the fun run included The Song-Cats Show and Pets Exhibition, which was themed around songket.
One of the participants was Siti Nuraina Alyssa, 16, who dressed her cat up in songket.
