13 April 2017, Kuala Lumpur: IJM Corporation Berhad and Allianz Malaysia Berhad jointly announced the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2017 today. Malaysia’s first ever duo highway challenge, organised by Besraya (M) Sdn Bhd, New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd, and EC Pixels, is set to pique adrenaline junkies’ interest as the Besraya Highway Challenge offers a 13km challenge run and a 6km run on the 30 July 2017 while the NPE Highway Challenge ups the ante by offering a 21km half marathon challenge and 10km run on the 10 September 2017.
The first run takes place at the new stretch of Besraya Highway (Besraya Eastern Extension – BEE) which is an elevated highway launched in 2014. The total stretch of the highway is 28.3km and offers connectivity between Salak Selatan, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Istana. The run route kicks off from Loke Yew Toll Plaza to Pandan Indah and heads towards Jalan Istana and Salak Selatan before turning back to Loke Yew Toll Plaza. Participants will be enjoying a total closure of the highway during the run.
The second run flags off at KM2.4 of the NPE Highway in front of Sunway Pyramid. This challenge requires a full closure of the highway which has had the experience of four international runs in 2007, 2011, 2012 and 2013 with a total 14,000 participants. This time around, it introduces a longer stretch up to Taman Desa area and involves three districts under the local authorities – DBKL, MBPJ and MPSJ. Runners will be able to run pass through three Toll Plazas – PJS5, Pantai Dalam and PJS2.
Dato’ Soam Heng Choon, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of IJM Corporation Berhad said “We are thrilled to launch Malaysia’s first duo highway challenge where runners will get an opportunity to experience the attributes of both the highways which are under IJM’s Toll Division. We are working with the authorities to ensure a total road closure for the event, as the safety of all runners is key. Participants can run freely and can look forward to enjoying the view of the KL city skyline as they race to complete the challenge.
“Sports is very much at the heart of IJM’s corporate social responsibility initiatives. Beyond being a title sponsor, IJM adopts a hands-on approach by being involved in the entire planning of the run. On top of giving back to the community, we aim to inspire and motivate people to embrace a healthier lifestyle,” he added.
There is an estimated 17,500 participants for the challenge this year and they are expected to complete both highway challenges. Those who come up on top overall will take home the challenge trophy. The participants can also look forward to event t-shirts sponsored by Brooks.
“Allianz is very proud to partner IJM Corporation Berhad and be part of this first-of-its-kind duo highway running event. The whole idea why we readily support running initiatives is to inspire more people to start running, start getting active and taking better care of their well-being. And to find a partner equally as passionate such as IJM, is really a plus point. Together we invite Malaysians from all walks of life to take this opportunity to dare themselves to do something different in their lives. Try, challenge yourself, push the boundaries, and test your limits,” says Sean Wang, Chief Operations Officer of Allianz Malaysia Berhad.
The recent National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2015 indicated there is an alarming rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. This is largely due to poor lifestyle choices such as unhealthy behaviours regarding food, physical activity, sleep and peace of mind. “By sponsoring an event like this, we are able to give our clients a chance to make better choices and in a fun and exciting way too.”
EC Pixels, which will be organizing the challenge, is an event management company that has over 16 years of experience in organising running and cycling events, triathlons and duathlons locally and internationally. “The IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2017 will be an exciting experience for all participants as it gives them two challenges to anticipate. The first challenge certainly builds up their expectation to the next one and having it on a closed highway, albeit smooth road terrain, gives them that much more to look forward to,” says Eugene Chan, Group Managing Director of EC Pixels.
IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge 2017 is also supported by Title Sponsor Allianz Malaysia Berhad, Main Sponsors – Gigatera, F&N 100 Plus, Ice Mountain, Official Apparel Brooks, as well as Partners – IJM Land, Oakley, 2XU Compression, Ideamas Group, RockTape, Affin Hwang, Garmin, Mutu Potensi Sdn Bhd, Nestle Milo, Nestle Fitnesse, Sunway Velocity Mall, Sunway Pyramid Mall, and Celebrity Fitness.
For more information on the registration, race and race kits, please visit: www.ijmhighwayrun.com or www.justonlineregistration.com
Registration closes on the 15 June 2017 for Besraya Challenge and 16 July 2017 for NPE Challenge.
