IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge goes sustainable in hosting 13,000 runners
Malaysians made up 80 per cent of the participants, with the remaining 20 per cent hailing from about 30 countries.
The seventh edition of the running event featured multiple a 42.195km full marathon, 21km half marathon, and 10km and 5km runs.
Organised in collaboration with IJM Corporation Bhd and Allianz Malaysia Bhd, this year's edition also introduced several sustainability initiatives, namely a bottle collection and recycling effort; sustainable race apparel and paperless race experience.
Over 16,000 plastic bottles used during the race were collected and sent to an authorised recycling facility, ensuring zero plastic waste.
Paper cups were also separated and collected for recycling. This initiative was carried out in collaboration with Trash4Cash and with the support of 286 volunteers at the water stations.
This year's race apparel was made from biodegradable, high-performance recycled fabrics, a first for the event, combining eco-consciousness with athletic function.
The event also adopted digital registration, race packs details and e-certificates to reduce paper consumption while improving convenience for participants
IJM Corporation Bhd group chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Lee Chun Fai said the event challenged them each year to raise the bar, not just in terms of race distance, but also in how they activate their highways for the community.
"Now, World Athletics-certified and with strong support from our partners, the event delivers a race that meets international standards while staying rooted in the local spirit.
"From recycled race apparel to paperless race experiences, we are proud to see how the event has become a platform for healthier living, environmental responsibility and shared momentum year after year," he said.
Allianz Malaysia Bhd chief executive officer Sean Wang said" "We are proud to continue our support for the IJM Allianz Duo Highway Challenge, an event that epitomises the essence of healthy living and sustainable lifestyles.
"This year's edition has not only clearly reflected those values but also fostered positive change within the community as well as on the environment."
Race director and managing director of EC Pixels Asia Eugene Chan said: "Seeing 13,000 runners cross the finish line is a powerful testament to our vision.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![News@9: Today's top headlines - August 4, 2025 [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
33 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
News@9: Today's top headlines - August 4, 2025 [WATCH]
Here are tonight's top stories. The Central Database Hub will be used first to deliver targeted RON95 fuel subsidies, focusing on those most in need, ahead of its full national rollout. An economist says Putrajaya's idea for retirees to receive both lump‑sum withdrawals and regular income may fail as most Malaysians have low savings and incomes. Under the new Consumer Credit Act, Buy Now, Pay Later providers must check borrowers' ability to repay to prevent financial hardship. Luxury cars lapsed The Road Transport Department found over 1,000 luxury cars — including Ferraris and Lamborghinis — without valid road tax or insurance. That's all for News@9.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Education reform in 13MP vital for Malaysia's economic evolution, says Rafizi
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's current economic framework lacks the complexity required to transform the country into a developed nation, leading to low value creation, says a former Cabinet member. Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (PH-Pandan) stated that the low value creation prevents employers from offering wages that meet the expectations of Malaysians, who desire a standard of living comparable to that of developed countries. 'We still face difficulties in transitioning from a resource-based and extraction economy to an industry based on innovation and value creation to compete with developed nations, and this is closely related to existing issues,' he said when debating the 13th Malaysia Plan at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Aug 4). Rafizi, a former Economy Minister, added that the education system fails to produce the skilled workforce and expertise needed for a complex, high-value economy. 'Although many talented individuals in our country excel in their SPM exams and graduate from foreign universities with scholarships, a significant number of them end up trapped in careers within multinational corporations (MNCs) and government-linked companies (GLCs). 'These positions do not allow them to take risks and create greater value, unlike their peers in places like Silicon Valley, who strive to innovate and lead,' he said. Rafizi said this was the reason why the 13MP, which was drafted during his tenure, highlighted the need for educational transformation through the introduction of mandatory early childhood education, starting at the age of five. 'Other countries invest their resources during early education, not at the university or Form 5 level and so on. 'That's why, when you look at 13MP, we didn't specify figures such as how many billions are allocated; rather, the commitment to providing universal preschool education means that whoever becomes the next government must prioritise ensuring that schools across the country, within the next five to 10 years, are able to deliver robust services,' he said. He also pointed out that schooling should end earlier, at the age of 16, as Malaysia is progressing towards an ageing nation. 'This is so our children can start entering the workforce earlier, at the age of 21,' he said. Rafizi also said that teachers and educators should be provided with adequate resources and training to elevate their professional status. He said that while the school's syllabus is important, so is the quality of teachers. 'That's why we need to accept the fact that we have previously neglected the professional development of teachers. 'In 13MP, once this becomes a policy, future governments must allocate the necessary resources,' he said. Rafizi said the 13MP mandates the establishment of a National Education Council that would catalyse the implementation of educational policies across ministries and sectors. 'Education should not be solely managed by the Education Ministry, as everything in our country starts from the classroom. 'Classrooms determine the type of engineers that emerge and shape our national economy,' he said. On July 31, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled the 13MP, a five-year plan covering the period from 2026 to 2030, which provided a strategic framework for Malaysia's economic, social, and environmental priorities. He stated that a total of RM611bil would be required to ensure the success of 13MP, covering the whole nation, including Sabah and Sarawak.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Macau Open: Dripping water fails to wash away Wan Arif's maiden tour title
KUALA LUMPUR: 'I even had to battle through water dripping from above.' That was how national men's doubles player Wan Arif Wan Junaidi summed up his gritty performance after finally clinching his first BWF World Tour title with partner Yap Roy King at the 2025 Macau Open yesterday. The fourth-seeded Malaysians stunned Indonesia's top seeds Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 22-20, 21-18 in the Super 300 final held at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. Despite being distracted by water dripping from the roof, the 23-year-old Wan Arif managed to overcome the unusual challenge to seal a memorable day for both himself and Roy King. 'During the final, water was dripping even when I served, during rallies and while smashing — it was falling on my head. But I told myself, if I'm affected, so too are my opponents. So I just tried to focus point by point,' he said in an audio message shared by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) today. The fifth meeting between the two pairs had to be stopped frequently due to the dripping water from the roof, which made the court surface slippery and dangerous. Wan Arif was also pleased to avenge their previous defeat to Sabar and Moh Reza in the final of the 2024 Madrid Spain Masters, where they lost 18-21, 21-17, 19-21. He added that he and Roy King have adapted better to the gameplay and tactical approach introduced by national men's doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, six months after the high-profile Indonesian coach began his stint with Malaysia. Meanwhile, Herry, when contacted by Bernama, challenged Wan Arif-Roy King to maintain consistency in upcoming tournaments. He also expressed confidence that the duo's breakthrough title could boost their confidence heading into the 2025 World Championships, scheduled to be held in Paris from Aug 25–31. In a separate development, national men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh said his loss to Indonesia's Alwi Farhan at 15-21, 5-21 in the same tournament's final served as a valuable lesson in patience and game strategy improvement. Despite Justin falling short of clinching his first World Tour title, national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen remained pleased with the 21-year-old's maturity and urged him to bounce back stronger in the future.- BERNAMA
