KUALA LANGAT: Promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging families to spend quality time together through sport.
These were the objectives of the organisers of the New Straits Times (NST) C-Cycle Challenge 2018.
New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd (NSTP) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Abdul Jalil Hamid said the event, which is in its second year, was not merely about a sport and athletic prowess.
Instead, the event was meant to bring family members and members of the community closer.
"The whole idea for this event is to promote healthy living. We want to encourage the people to take up cycling as a sport," he told reporters after flagging off participants in the Century Ride and Fun Ride categories in the Eco Sanctuary, Kota Kemuning near here today.
The flag off ceremony was conducted by Jalil along with Eco World Foundation chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Eco World Development Group Bhd chief operating officer Datuk Sundarajoo Somu, Eco World Development Group Bhd divisional general manager Ho Kwee Hong, NSTP chief commercial officer Alfian Abu Talib and NST executive editor Muzli Mohd Zin.
Jalil said the number of participants were encouraging in last year's inaugural event and the trend was seen again this year with almost 1,200 local and international cyclists taking part.
"Together with Eco World Development Group Bhd, we are hoping that a third event will be held next year and that it will attract a bigger number of cyclists," he said.
Touted as one of the nation's premier cycling events, the second edition of the NST C-Cycle Challenge saw cyclists taking part in the 160km Century Ride and 35km Fun Ride categories.
Jalil said the organisers planned to introduce a third category next year in which cyclists will ride along a 70km to 75km route.
This year, the challenge saw the participation of 28 professional cyclist teams, including the Terengganu Cycling Team, Armed Forces Cycling Team, PDRM G Cycling Team and Armaniz Cycling Team.
There are many amateurs and professional riders taking part in the challenge with a large number corporate top guns and captains of industry as well.
Jalil said he was pleased with the positive response from participants, despite the postponement from its initial date in May.
The cyclists enjoyed a scenic and breathtaking route as they passed by coastal areas and hilly terrain.
Among the routes were Persiaran Rimbayu, Jalan Johan Setia-Jalan Klang Banting-Jalan
Chodoi, Jalan Morib-Tanjung Sepat-Jalan Sepang and Jalan Sijangkang Utama.
Meanwhile, Eco World Foundation Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said he was happy to collaborate with the NST in yet another community project.
He said Eco World was equally committed in playing their role to promote a healthy lifestyle in this country.
"As a responsible and caring developer, we are very focused about playing our role to promote a healthy lifestyle.
"Cycling is popular in our country and by organising this event, we have gathered close to 1,200 local and international participants.
"We are indeed happy with the number of participants.
Contestants stand to win a grand total of RM37,700 in prize money.
The first, second and third place winners for the Men’s Open, Women’s Open and Senior Men’s Open categories stand to win RM2,500, RM1,500 and RM1,000, respectively.
Under the Team Open category, the first place winner stands to take home RM4,500, RM3,500 for second place and RM3,000 for third place.
The C-Cycle Challenge 2018 is organised by the NST in partnership with property developer Eco World Development Group Bhd, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd as its official bank and sporting goods importer and retail company, Treknology Multisport Sdn Bhd as the product sponsor.
Reports by Aliza Shah, Beatrice Nita Jay, Masriwanie Muhamading and Dawn Chan
