A bigger and better run
Runners and non-runners alike had an amazing time
at the Shape Night Run ’09 presented by Nature Valley!
A scene out of Saturday Night
Fever it was not, but it
might as well have been,
with thousands turning up for the
Shape Night Run ’09 presented by
Nature Valley, which took place at
Putrajaya Corporation on 25 July.
But instead of waiting for a cue to
break into song and dance, the over
4000-strong crowd anticipated
a different kind of cue… to run.
It wasn’t just the runners who
created a buzz that night; their
families and friends also turned up
in droves to provide support and
take part in the exciting lineup
of games and activities that were
planned by the Run’s sponsors.
People started trickling in to the Run venue as early as 6 p.m., with some runners warming
up as soon as they arrived. However, it was when the energetic fitness instructors from Clark Hatch got on stage to lead a warm-up routine that most of the crowd began to get their heart rates up. If there were flagging spirits in the crowd, the CHARM cheerleaders would have helped lift them up with their super-charged moves, motivating chants and confident smiles. Also
doing their part to cheer the runners on were DJs from MIX fm, Jay Menon and Sham, who teased and entertained the crowd until flag-off.
As the countdown began, Blu Inc Media CEO Datin Azliza Ahmad Tajuddin and Director of Putrajaya Corporation City Service, Datuk Abdul Ghani and his deputy, Tuan Haji Zamri Hashim took their places on stage to give the runners the green light. Those in the Men’s and Women’s Open 11.5 km categories were the first to sprint off, followed by the Men’s Junior and Senior Veteran, and Women’s Veteran 7.7 km categories. Last to take off were Fun Runners Shape editor Merina Hew, cover girls Jay Menon and Azura Zainal, and Putrajaya Sports Council Director Ahmad Azuddin Arshad.
Jay, who completed the 5 km run in 30 minutes, said the running bug bit her at last year’s inaugural Shape Run. “Completing the run has given me a great sense of accomplishment, and I will definitely be back for next year’s run!” Fellow Shape cover girl Carmen Robinson, who took part in the Women’s Open category, missed out on a prize by coming in 11th. “It was a little disappointing, but I enjoyed myself thoroughly. It was lots of fun, and what an adrenaline rush it was to run with so many people!” said Carmen.
Twenty-nine-year-old professional runner Amutha Arumugam from Kuala Lumpur crossed the finish line after just 49 minutes and 48 seconds to grab first place in the Women’s Open category, earning her RM700 in cash and prizes worth over RM12,000. Her winning haul included: A 5D/4N stay for two at the Swiss-Garden Golf Resort & Spa in Damai Laut worth RM4000 from Latestays.com, a Fitness Concept cross trainer worth RM1650, an Eclipse Westfield single mattress worth RM1400 and Reebok products worth RM400. “I’m extremely happy to have won the race!” said Amutha. “I’ve taken part in many races throughout the years and always given each race my best shot. This night run was a brilliant idea! The weather is perfect
for running, thanks to the cool breeze,” she said. Coincidentally, 1st runner-up at the Singapore Shape Run, Phua Hui Qin, also grabbed the 1st runner-up spot here.
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