Children from Ramakrishna Ashrama in Penang practising to be guide runners for the visually-impaired participants (in green neon vests) at Central Park, Aspen Vision City in Batu Kawan,Penang.— Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB and LIM BENG TATT/The Star
Running inspires people of all abilities, including the visually impaired, to conquer challenges
ONCE a niche sport, road running has grown in popularity after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Besides the health benefits, thrills and adrenaline rush, active Malaysians say running has helped them beat depression during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Ever since then, the sport has become even more widespread because it is relatively inexpensive and a good way to socialise.
Clerk KL Lim, 43, started jogging during the early stages of the movement control order, just to raise a sweat.
“To avoid being cooped up the whole day in my apartment, I went for a jog at the park near my apartment.
Lim taking a selfie after crossing the finishing line at the Hatyai Marathon 2024.
“After a while, I found running beneficial for my health and it is inexpensive. All I need is a pair of jogging shoes.
“Now, I regularly take part in marathons with my husband. We get to meet a lot of people, and we are in great shape mentally and physically.
“We went to Chiang Mai in 2023, and Hatyai this year to take part in runs (10km). Our last run was the recent Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered marathon.
“Besides the thrill of achieving a goal, we also immerse ourselves in the food and sight- seeing. What better therapy to de-stress?” asked the Penangite.
Programme manager Alagarsamy Murugasan, 55, said he started running in his teens with his schoolmates and has not stopped since then.
“During the lockdown, running was the only thing that kept me sane. I ran to help improve my immune system.
“Now, I try to limit my marathons to a maximum of three a year as I want to train to improve my timing instead of just doing it for fun,” he said.
Alagarsamy said that while running a marathon was an affordable hobby, it was important to invest in good shoes.
Visually-impaired participants and their guide runners warming up at the training session at Central Park, Aspen Vision City in Batu Kawan, Penang.
“You can increase your speed by up to 10seconds per km with better shoes,” he said.
He also goes for yearly health check-ups and consumes supplements.
Engineer Chew Lay Ling, 39, has been running for the last 12 years.
“Running keeps me fit and healthy. The only time I took a break was when I was pregnant,” said Lay Ling who takes part in one or two marathons a year.
Running has become popular because a person is able to train according to one’s own pace and time, she said.
“I only spend money on my shoes. I need separate shoes for training and for the actual race,” she added.
Senior executive Muhammad Firdaus Samsudin, 27, feels fitter and fresher after each run.
“I have been running marathons since I was 15. Running has helped me overcome anxiety and stress during the pandemic.
(From left) Alagarsamy, Lay Ling and Muhammad Firdaus enjoy taking part in runs and marathons.
“Now if I do not run, I feel empty.
“It is an affordable hobby as there is no sports equipment involved,” he said.
Universiti Sains Malaysia Advanced Medical and Dental Institute Family Medicine specialist and medical lecturer Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian said more people picked up running after the pandemic.
“There are ample health benefits from running short or long-distance races,” she said.
“It builds stamina and improves metabolism. It has benefits for one’s cardiovascular health and can reduce hypertension, risk of diabetes, and cholesterol levels as well.”
Dr Mastura said runners taking part in full marathons would have built their stamina over the years.
“As long as they are healthy, they can take part in as many runs and marathons as they like.
“They just need ample sleep and avoid smoking,” she said.
Roping in visually impaired
Running can do a whole of good for people with disabilities, including the visually impaired.
Although the capabilities of the visually impaired are often underestimated, Aspen Group is determined to change the perception by giving them the chance to experience participating in a marathon.
The developer is sponsoring both visually-impaired participants and their guide runners as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.
As the main sponsor of the Aspen-Klippa Penang Bridge International Marathon 2024, Aspen is making room for 14 visually-impaired runners and their guide runners.
Aspen executive deputy chairman Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff emphasised the importance of inclusivity, describing it as vital to include everyone in the journey towards achieving their goals.
Nazir: Aspen is sponsoring both the visually-impaired runners and their guides under its CSR project.
“We want them to feel included and do what they enjoy. Even guide runners are excited for the upcoming marathon,” he said.
“Many of them are running the 10km, some are participating in the half-marathon and one runner is participating in the full marathon.
“We have children from the Ramakrishna Ashrama in Penang participating as guide runners,” he added.
Nazir said it was heartwarming to hear that the boys from Ramakrishna Ashrama were eagerly awaiting the event.
“They have become noticeably more disciplined following their training sessions.
“They are excited to be guide runners and are training hard to take part.
“This means a lot to us as it is important to create awareness on inclusivity.
“We are a Penang developer and it feels right to initiate it here,” he said.
The marathon is one of the largest sporting events in both the state and the country, making it an excellent platform to promote Penang, said Nazir.
Training platform
The visually-impaired runners are required to attend weekly training sessions to familiarise themselves with the techniques of running.
“For the visually-impaired runners, weekly training sessions have been organised with their guide runners. This is facilitated by Howei Events.
“The sessions focus on synchronising their pace and building a strong rapport, ensuring that the athletes feel confident and supported as they prepare for the marathon.
“This collaborative training approach not only enhances their running skills but also fosters trust and teamwork, setting the stage for a successful and empowering race experience,” Nazir said after a training session held at Central Park in Aspen Vision City, Batu Kawan.
He said the park was popular as people could exercise, relax and unwind as well as picnic there.
Opportune moment
St Nicholas Home Penang general manager Carmen Chew said 12 of the 14 visually-impaired participants were from the home.
“This is a great initiative as it creates awareness among the public that the visually impaired should be given such sporting opportunities,” she said.
“Many think that they cannot run but the truth is, many of them can run faster than us.
“We want to encourage the visually impaired to join these kind of events to help boost their confidence,” she added.
Carmen: We want to encourage the visually impaired to join these kind of events to boost their confidence.
Carmen said all they needed was a guide runner to help them.
“The main thing is finding the right guide who is physically fit and can keep up with their pace.
“This is why it is important to train together. These weekly trainings have helped them.
“The guides get to train with the visually impaired to set the same pace, movement and speed,” she said.
Carmen said the best way to support the visually-impaired runners and their guides was to make way for them upon seeing them along the route.
Wong: It is good for the visually impaired to have the opportunity to participate.
“They will be in neon vests, so it is easy to spot them,” she added.
Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, who also participated in the training session, offered words of encouragement.
“It is important that the visually impaired are included. It is great that they are running in pairs with guide runners.
“They are excited and it is a good experience for them,” he said.
Darren Yuen, 46, one of the two visually-impaired participants not from St Nicholas Home, is running in the marathon to raise funds.
Yuen, who signed up for the half-marathon, is raising funds for the Ramakrishna Ashrama and Centre for Special Children Penang.
“This is my first time running for a cause and I hope to raise RM50,000.
Yuen is running in the marathon to raise funds.
“I have always wanted to participate in a marathon, so I am looking forward to it,” he said.
The marathon on Dec 15 marks a significant milestone in the event’s long history, as it will be held for the first time at Batu Kawan on the mainland.
The event will see runners traversing the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge, also known as the second Penang Bridge.
The starting and finishing points will be at Aspen Vision City – a sprawling 99.6ha flagship development by Aspen, valued at RM13bil.
Besides Aspen, the other title sponsor is Ikano Centres’ Klippa.
Other sponsors include Teleperformance, Big Caring Group, Brooks, Seiko, Emico, Counterpain, Himalaya Sports, Island Hospital and N8 Sports Nutrition, with Star Media Group Bhd as official media partner.
To view the route map, visit www.penangmarathon.gov.my
