LONGER route and more excitement! This year’s Penang Hill Heritage Forest Challenge 2023 (PHHFC2023) will see its participants take on a 17km scenic route of Penang Hill.
Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) is now ready to carry out the race on a longer route than the shorter ones used in the last few editions of the PHHFC since the 2017 landslide incident on the hill.
PHC general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng said the Penang government has invested a lot to carry out slope stabilisation and road upgrading works at the affected areas on the hill.
“Participants will get to enjoy the scenery and take in the fresh air of Penang Hill. The experience will be fantastic!” Cheok told a media conference at the Lower Station of Penang Hill today.
State Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee said the Penang Hill Heritage Forest Challenge which started in 2014, is aimed at promoting and enhancing Penang’s reputation as a popular eco-tourism destination; instilling awareness and love for the environment and heritage conservation; and promoting sports and healthy lifestyle among the people.
“PHC is targeting 900 participants for this edition. Registration is open to Malaysians and international participants.
“Participants who completed the race are entitled to the attractive lucky draw prizes. All participants will receive a finisher medal and an e-Certificate each.
“There are six categories including a category for international participants. Cash prizes await eight winners for all six categories,” he said.
Also present at the media conference were Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng, Actife Style Concept Sdn Bhd director Mayl Yeap, Penang Hill Residents’ Association president A. Sathivel, and Penang State Sports Council youth and sports assistant officer Mohd Shamel Suhaime.
The route will lead runners through the trails of the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, starting from the Quarry Recreational Park at Penang Botanic Gardens, and ending at the Dataran of the Penang Hill’s upper station. The participants will get to enjoy the scenery along Viaduct Road East, Viaduct Road West, Moniot Heritage Trail 1825 (West), and Summit Road before reaching the Dataran.
The PHHFC2023 will be held from 7am to 12pm on Aug 27. The event is organised by PHC, in collaboration with Actife Style Concept Sdn Bhd, Penang Hill Residents’ Association, and Penang Amateur Athletics Association. The event is also supported by the Penang government.
Early-bird registration is now open until May 21 and is priced at RM55 per person.
From May 22 to June 16, a standard registration fee applies and is priced at RM65 per person.
Each participant will receive a goodie bag and a T-shirt.
For details and registration, visit https://www.actifestyle.com/view_event.php?event_id=79
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi