NEW BALANCE Run Club Launch by Happy Runner
Editor’s Note
There are many running groups in town, but there are much fewer running clubs and associations. What’s the difference? Running Clubs and Associations must be registered with the Registrar Of Society and they are governed by the ROS Acts and Laws. In contrast, Running Groups are not allowed to collect membership fees,and therefore, their activities are either self-funded and/or funded by sponsors.
For the record, NEW BALANCE run club (NBRC) is a running group which means its activities are fully sponsored by New Balance Malaysia, like their official launch which was held at The Social in Desa Park City where 60 guests and brand ambassadors were treated to a getting-to-know-you session over an English Breakfast.
Running Groups are important focal points for runners to MEET, INTERACT and SHARE their common passion for running, and there’s one group in virtually every neighborhood. If you’re a new runner and looking for a new running group where you will be welcomed with open arms, then you ought to checkout my review below of this refreshing NEW BALANCE run club (NBRC) who plan to EXCITE runners with their forthcoming activities…
Event | NEW BALANCE run club launch
Date | 3rd February 2018
Venue | The Social, Desa Park City
Guests | 60 Runners & Brand Ambassadors
Who Is NBRC?
NBRC is a brand new running group consist of friends of New Balance Malaysia and a handful of Brand Ambassadors & Coaches. Initially, this sounds like any other running group, but after interviewing NBRC Captain Deric Seah, heck, he even got a running stalwart like me excited about NBRC mission and vision!
Anyone who knows Deric, from his successful introduction of Aftershokz “Bone Induction Technology” wireless headphones to Malaysia market, will tell you that Deric is a likeable guy with a creative and dynamic business mind. So, it was no surprise to learn that Deric will bring the same creativity and dynamism on board NBRC, and I am sure it won’t be long before NBRC will find its way into the hearts and minds of runners everywhere.
Deric caught the running bug only last year, and therefore, he is in a great position to know what new runners are looking for in a running group. Helping Captain Deric implement the NBRC mission, are the Technical Coaches and Celebrity/Sports Brand Ambassadors who will diligently MOTIVATE and TRAIN runners to reach their RUNNING GOALS during the upcoming NBRC running sessions, as well as inject some FUN and GLAMOUR into the mix too. No doubt, sponsored goodies will be given away to further entice runners to participate in their running sessions.
What Makes NEW BALANCE run club Different?
According to Deric, there are 3 new ways which NBRC can help new runners :-
- Runners won’t feel intimidated to join NBRC because NEW BALANCE is already a well-known running brand with wide appeal.
- NBRC will tie up with professional running coaches and companies (To Be Announced) in order to teach important running skills, and even, transform new runners into Marathoners.
- NBRC will not be stuck to one training location, but instead, a different training venue will be selected every 3 months which means more runners from different areas will have the opportunity to join the training sessions at their own convenience and at their preferred locations.
Catch NBRC Drills
“Where and When can we catch the NBRC bus?”, I hear you ask.
✔️The INAUGURAL TRAINING SESSIONS will be in held at Desa Park City for 3 months from March to May 2018. The training sessions will be conducted TWICE monthly, and all the Brand Ambassadors will meet ONCE-A-MONTH.
For all the latest news, events & updates
JOIN the New Balance Run Club group page
➡️https://www.facebook.com/groups/nbrcMY/
✔️COMBINED EFFORTS: At each training venue, NBRC will hookup and collaborate with a particular running group in that locale. The other training venues and running club partners will be announced in due course.
THE FIRST NBRC RUN
The First Warm-up Stretching
On a sunny morning, fitness coach Karen led the warm-up stretching routines on the immaculate grass lawn. All the participants energetically followed Karen’s cues in unison, while I was busy taking snapshots of their contorting, folding, bending and stretching bodies.
Video Clips
Stretching With Coach Karen (Gus Channel, S1 E18)
Lunges!! Butt Kicks!! Jumping Jacks!! (Gus Channel, S1 E19)
1ST 1km Symbolic Happy Run
Video Clip, Let’s Go, Elaine! (Gus Channel, S2 E21)
Then, we ran 1km once around the scenic pond. Of course, it was a very short run, but more importantly, this marked the activation of the NEW BALANCE run club in Malaysia. If Karen represented the face of NBRC, then Deric was literally their flagbearer.
“We leave no one behind,” Deric announced as he accompanied the last runner who was Coach Eryn’s non-running mother all the way to the finish point. The duo were greeted with a rousing cheer from the group as they completed their round.
Video Clip, Coach Eryn & Mum (Gus Channel S1 E22)
Video Clip, Leave No One Behind (Gus Channel S1 E23)
Next, Karen walked us through a cool down session to cap our run, before we all adjourned to the verandah at The Social for our group breakfast.
Groupfie Video, Gus Channel S1 E15
Brunch @The Social
We were all sat at the open air verandah as the waiters served us a hearty English Breakfast.
The guests mingled,chatted away and updated their FB!
Video Clips
* Cheerleaders, Gus Channel S1 E17
* Going around the tables S1 E24
Introducing Brand Ambassadors
One by one, we were introduced to the NBRC Coaches (Karen, Gary, Kochi, Eryn…) and the Brand Ambassadors & Celebrities (Actor Norman Hakim – famous for his role in TV series Gerak Khas- , 2x World Champion Bodybuilder Syarul Azman – https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/other-sport/2017/10/09/syarul-rules-again-asian-champ-retains-world-title-in-freezing-mongolia/ -…).
Video Clips : The Brand Ambassadors And Coaches
Alphabet Wall
As part of the Launch Gambit, the coaches stuck the letters N, B, R, & C on the backdrop.
Video Clip : Alphabet Soup
Couple Corner
As soon as we entered Desa Park City, we noticed that there were many weekend runners already running on the wide pedestrian walkways in the pleasant morning air.
The main park is picturesque and it consisted of a big pond surrounded by neat lawns, young trees, pathways and there is even a running stream. It is like being surrounded by nature, but with all the modern fixtures and facilities conveniently available at the nearby shop building.
After running one lap around the pond, we adjourned to the verendah at The Social, overlooking the pristine park, for a hearty English Breakfast with the other NBRC Runners.
There were many smiling faces and laughter filled the air, as we got acquainted with each other.
Surprisingly, we all felt like one big family, eventhough this was the first NBRC outing together. I guess it is our common passion for running and pursuing active lifestyle which made interacting with each other effortless. Moreover, much credit must be given to our host for making everyone feel so welcomed, and for a successful launch and activation of the NEWEST running group in Klang Valley.
I am sure that all the guests, like my wife Maryati and I, are looking forward to the next NBRC gathering. However, next time, we can all have a thorough training session together after this wonderful introduction to the NEW BALANCE run club.
Video Clip – Gus & Maryati (Gus Channel, S1 E20)
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Remember You Heard It Here First! LIKE Happy Runner page for more NBRC news and updates. Catch you at the next session👈
*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 Ghani is the Founder of Running Toons and a HIIT Fitness Coach, and Magazine Columnist. He has contributed numerous insightful articles to The Star newspaper, Running Malaysia Magazine, and Cycling Malaysia Magazine. LIKE Happy Runner for RUNNING UPDATES, Gus Rider for CYCLING NEWS, Gus Ghani for SPORTS INFOTAINMENT and FOLLOW gusghani @IG for LIFESTYLE.
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