Lazada Run Malaysia Leads the Way in Inclusion and Community Empowerment

Lazada Run Malaysia Leads the Way in Inclusion and Community Empowerment

July 18, 2023 0 By Rowena Cletus

The Malaysian leg of the inaugural multi-country Lazada Run brought together a spirited and diverse crowd of 8,000 Malaysians from various backgrounds, united in their enthusiasm for the event. Participants eagerly took on the challenge of the 5km, 10km, and 21km race routes, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and excitement. The race commenced in Cyberjaya, with the 21km category kick-starting the event at 5.00 am. Following a vibrant Zumba warm-up session, the 10km and 5km runners set off at 6.45 am and 7.15 am respectively. While the runners pushed their limits, the Lazada race village bustled with activity. Spectators and families explored an array of food trucks, enjoyed the Brand Experiential Zones, and indulged in free goodies offered by the event’s booths.

A noteworthy highlight was the participation of 40 para-athletes who took on a special 1km route. Representing the three major disability categories in Paralympic Sports, namely physical, visual, and intellectual impairments, they received resounding encouragement from the passionate crowd. Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Hannah Yeoh, had the honor of flagging off this special route. The event also featured a significant contribution of RM50,000 by Lazada Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Alan Chan, to the President of Paralympic Council of Malaysia (PCM), Dato’ Sri Megat D. Shahriman. This generous donation supports the TambahEMAS crowd-funding initiative, aiding PCM’s mission to train and prepare para-athletes for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, as well as additional outreach initiatives for the disabled community.

Alan Chan, Lazada Malaysia’s CEO, expressed delight in the success of the Lazada Run, emphasizing Lazada’s commitment to engaging Malaysian youth in fitness activities while promoting sports inclusivity for all. He highlighted the event’s ability to bring together Malaysians from diverse backgrounds, fostering bonds and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Dato’ Sri Megat D. Shahriman, PCM President, also praised Lazada’s efforts in raising awareness and providing support for para-athletes, underscoring the importance of inclusivity and empowerment.

The Lazada Run is a groundbreaking regional event organized by an eCommerce platform, spanning six Southeast Asian cities. Along with Kuala Lumpur, the event has already occurred in Ho Chi Minh, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Manila, culminating in Singapore on July 23, 2023. The first and second-place finishers of the 21km race in Malaysia, Poo Vasanthan Subramaniam, Nik Fakaruddin Ismail, Noor Amelia Musa, and Lee Shi Fing, as well as the first-place winners of the 10km race, Mohamad Shahrin Che Abdullah and Chua Khit Yeng, will represent Malaysia in the Singapore finale. They will compete against participants from other regions for a chance to win USD 3,500 (approximately RM16,000). Additionally, the top five winners from both the 21km and 10km races received cash vouchers totaling up to RM21,200, while all participants who successfully completed the half-marathon were awarded an exclusive 21km race medal and finisher tee.

The event also featured exciting lucky draw prizes, with over 30 winners taking home attractive rewards from sponsors such as Lego, Aveda, and Ice-Watch. Notable sponsors included sportswear giant Puma as the Official Apparel Partner, FreeYond, Y.O.U, and Dettol as Official Sponsors, Optimum Nutrition as the Official Sports Nutrition Sponsor, Revive as the Official Isotonic Drink Partner, and Tonton as the Official Media Partner. Other sponsors who contributed to the event’s success included Milo, Spritzer, Blackmores, Epitex, Unilever, Ice-Watch, Splat, Lego, Aveda, and Tealive. The Lazada Run Malaysia exemplified the dedication of Lazada and its partners to promote fitness, inclusivity, and community engagement in Malaysia.