Blue Cap Relay Run 2016
FAST FACTS
Event: 2nd Blue Cap Relay Run 2016
Date: 06 November 2016
Venue: Dewan Tunku Canselor, University of Malaya
Format: 3 Runners x 3km
Organiser: Blue Cap Movement
Total Participants: 1,000++
EDITOR’S NOTE
Recently, I have been encouraging my sister-in-law Marina, who is a Cancer Survivor, to join fun runs. So, this relay run was a golden opportunity for me to submit a team comprising of me, my wife Maryati (Marina’s younger sister) and Marina under the Cancer Survivor Category. Under this particular Category, Teams can register for free as long as one of the team member is a Cancer Survivor. For those Survivors who cannot run, they can ride a wheelchair. What fantastic ideas to encourage Cancer Survivors of all abilities to join!
The other available categories are specially designed to encourage doctors, women, senior citizens, and families to form their own running teams. It is befitting for the team members to include and represent the whole cross-section of our society because no one is totally free from the ever present threat of Cancer.
HARNESSING SUPPORT
The run was launched by Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah and supported by Universiti Malaya, MySihat by the Health Ministry, the Malaysian Urological Association, and the Universiti Malaya Alumni Association.
Meeting and mingling with fellow Cancer Survivors, and having the presence of cancer support groups and many supportive people will naturally boost the confidence of the participating cancer survivors to live a normal life. For Joe Public like me, this occasion is an ideal opportunity to meet the experts and learn about Cancer Survivorship, as well as directly support Cancer Survivors and their affiliated Charities and Support Groups.
All funds would be channelled to the ‘Urological Cancer Trust Fund’ for prostate cancer treatment under Blue Cap Movement which is the collaboration of Malaysian Urological Association and Prostate Cancer Society of Malaysia.
LIVING LEGENDS
Malaysian football legends Datuk Soh Chin Aun, Datuk Santok Singh and ex-National Teammates ran to help raise awareness for prostate cancer and strengthen bonds among survivors of the disease (Video Clip).
HEALTHY FUN
“It was nice to see runners of all ages taking part,” declared Anim who had joined in order to experience her first relay run.
RELAY RUN
Upon registration, each of the 300 teams were given a baton with a timing chip.
The morning began with all the participants warming-up with an energetic aerobic session at the front courtyard of the Dewan Tunku Canselar.
Race Director Julie Wong of JW Biznet briefed us on the technical and safety requirements, before we were divided into 3 groups according to 1st, 2nd and 3rd relay runners.
About 7:30am, Health Ministry director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah flagged-off the 1st relay runners.
The route took us 3km around the pleasant environment of the UM Campus. The roads were closed to cars, and there were many race marshals along the route to ensure that the runners stayed on course. There were also mobile race volunteers on bicycles to guide and keep a watchful eye on the runners throughout the short distance.
The area 50 metres from the Finish Line was reserved for the next relay runner to wait for their teammates and to exchange the baton. The emcee would announce the bib numbers of each approaching running, so that the next runner could get ready for a smooth baton handover.
It was exciting to watch the runners handover the baton as the crowd cheered them on from the sidelines.
It was impressive to see runners of all ages, shapes and sizes running and supporting each other in a friendly atmosphere.
YOUNG AND OLD
Of course, there was a striking contrast among the fast-running kids and students, and the slow-moving senior citizens. Nevertheless, regardless of the gap in age and abilities, every runner shared a common goal of supporting the cancer survivors, and everyone contributed equally to the resounding success of this charity event.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
I saw participants many brave Cancer Survivors, silver haired Senior Citizens, as well as innocent young children who must have found it hard to complete the 3km, 2km or 1km distance. However, despite being out of their comfort zone, they were all motivated to complete the challenge for a worthwhile cause.
It was a morning on which many concerned community citizens had banded together for the selfless act of helping those in need. I felt proud that I could be part of this charitable movement, and I salute support groups such as Blue Cap Movement who dedicate themselves to bringing joy to other people’s lives. Everyone deserves a little happiness, especially those who have been struck by misfortune.
OUTDOOR BREAKFAST
After the run, we collected our humongous gold medals, goodie bags and sat around to enjoy our delicious breakfast of nasi lemak, oats biscuits, Lucozade, Milo and Old Town White Coffee.
The cheerful crowd mingled and exchanged stories, while prizes were presented to the top teams of each category.
JW BIZNET
Julie Wong and her hardworking Crew did an exemplary job organising this relay run which was enjoyable for the runners from start to finish. It takes a lot of skill and experience to successfully handle a complex relay run format and to properly manage a crowd of 1,000 participants which included many inexperienced runners from such a diverse age group. With the clever use of the venue space and through careful organisation, Julie’s system ensured that the event flowed smoothly. I have participated in enough failed running events to appreciate the professionalism displayed and delivered by the technical crew here which is precisely what the participants, the event owners, the sponsors, the event partners, the donors, and the Cancer Survivors deserved.
CATEGORIES AVAILABLE
A – UMMI Surgical Open
B – Mixed Women
C – Mixed 50
D – UM Alumni
E – Cancer Survivors
F – Family
WATCH EXCLUSIVE LIVE VIDEOS :-
Runners In Action
Blue Cap Movement Interview
Podium Winners
Old Town White Coffee
Sunday Picnic
Article In The Star Newspaper
*Disclaimer*
To the best of my knowledge, all of the information provided herein is accurate at the time of publishing and the views expressed are based on my own personal opinions and findings, and they don’t necessarily reflect the views of the Product Manufacturer, Event Organiser or any Third Party unless explicitly specified otherwise.
About The Author
Gus is the Founder of Running Toons and a HIIT Fitness Coach. As a freelance WRITER, he has contributed numerous insightful articles to The Star newspaper, Running Malaysia magazine, Cycling Malaysia magazine, Cycling Evolution magazine, Swim Bike Run magazine and more. LIKE Happy Runner for RUNNING UPDATES, Gus Rider for CYCLING NEWS, Gus Ghani for SPORTS INFOTAINMENT and FOLLOW gusghani @IG for LIFESTYLE.
gusghani 
thank you for your participation and support. perhaps you can add one more category G – Cancer Survivor 3-2-1. this is a specially designed offline entry for more advance cancer survivors in particular prostate cancer survivor. 1st runner to complete a full 3km loop, 2nd runner will run a 2km and last runner will complete the last 1km. the 2nd runner will pace the 3rd runner to the finish line. there is a 2nd baton changing zone at the open gym area near the lake. the team will run a total of 6km instead of 9km.
Thanks for sharing, Julie.
Note: Runner 2 & 3 actual distance is 2.5km and 1.5km respectively when you include distance of shortcut to and fro 2nd baton changing zone😂