IF you think you are super fit, you are welcome to take part in all four categories of the Penang Bridge International Marathon (PBIM) 2020 Virtual Run, namely the 5km, 10km, 21km (half marathon) and 42km (full marathon) – all within 48 hours.
However, a participant can also choose to take part in any one of the four runs.
PBIM2020 Virtual Run chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, who is also the state executive councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy, said the 48 hours start from 12am of Nov 21 and ends at 11.59pm of Nov 22 following Malaysian time zone (GMT+8).
“Runners from around the world can join in the PBIM2020 Virtual Run through running apps. The theme of the run is ‘Running Against Covid19’.
“The virtual run this year offers a new form of flexibility for runners whereby one runner can participate in all categories, as long as they can compete the runs within the 48 hours duration.
“Registration for the run is from Oct 1 to Oct 31 (11.59am) and is free this year,” Yeoh told a press conference in Komtar today.
He added that although there are no race packs or finisher medals, the participants are eligible for e-certificate if they manage to complete the race within the respective qualifying time of 2 hours (10km), 3.5 hours (half marathon) and 7 hours (full marathon).
In addition to the three categories, he said they are also introducing a 5km (Fun Run) for participants aged 12 and above to encourage family participation, adding that the qualifying time for the 5km run is 1 hour and 15 minutes.
He said runners need to complete their registration and connect one tracking app of GPS wearables to MyVRace by Sport Heroes and ensure that the tracking app, which after being successfully synced, is turned on before the run to record the distance.
The facilitating platform, which is provided by Runners Unite and funded by PBIM and their sponsors, comes with a sophisticated software.
Runners Unite project manager Tan Chin Chin said for most virtual runs, the organisers would ask the participants to post their data through email or through a form online, take a picture of their running app or watch and then post it to them. The organisers would then process the data manually.
“But for PBIM2020 Virtual Run, you don’t need to do that. Once you connect your watch to the running website, when you run your 5km and save the data, the 5km will automatically upload to this virtual run website and goes into the system,” she explained.
PBIM2020 Virtual Run project manager Grace Teoh, who was also present, said there would be various workshops, talks and activities organised virtually to build up the excitement for the actual event as well as to prepare the participants.
She said the PBIM page would only be open for registration on Oct 1.
“Although we are doing virtual run for PBIM this year, we are still going to conduct our normal virtual running clinic, virtual medical forum and virtual physical fitness. There will also be the launching of apparel by Emico and Brooks virtually. We’re going to do virtual fashion show too.
“At the same time, the police will also prepare a talk to advise the runners on what are the safety precautions to take while you run this virtual run.
“While there are no finishers’ medals, special mementoes and merchandise can be purchased from Brooks and Emico to commemorate the first virtual run for this year,” Teoh said.
She added that the registrations of those who have registered for PBIM2020 would be automatically brought forward to PBIM2021.
“Although there are no refunds, the registrations will be transferable for those who are unable to make it for PBIM2021. The date for PBIM2021 will be announced in January next year,” Teoh said.
Emico Penang Sdn Bhd sales and marketing director Dan Tan said they are offering the participants a memento medal and a running T-shirt in a set for RM39 to commemorate the first virtual run this year.
“We will prepare only 2,020 sets. We still want to make sure that every participant still remembers PBIM, even for those who cannot come to Penang to take part,” said Dan, adding that they have other merchandise that could be bought via the website.
For more details, check out Penang Bridge International Marathon Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/penangbridgemarathon.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Eng Kok Wei