A special day for the families

The merriment at the 23rd PJ Half Marathon yesterday started as early as 5am with shouts of “Get your copy of The Star here!” coming from the Star Publications (M) Bhd booth. 

As circulation senior marketing representative S. Ramasamy tried to attract visitors to the booth, participants trickled in to get their registration number. 

Eng Siang Boon and his wife Loh Hong Siang, both 42, were seen warming up in the stadium with their three children Jing Yuan, 14, Jung Han, 10, and Zhao Heng, 6. 

Birthday girl: Nicole blowing the candles on her birthday cake after taking part in the 3km fun run. Sitting behind her are her parents Lai Poh Wah and Lee Chin Chow and sister Lai Kaylee (on her mother's lap).

“We usually take walks in the park as a family. This is the first time we’re taking part in the PJ Half and we’ll join the (Subang Jaya) 10K Run as well,” said Eng. 

Wheelchair-bound husband-and-wife Azmi Zain and Azizah Mat, both 41, took part in the 5km men and women special categories respectively. 

“We’ve been taking part since it was held for the first time. Back then, the flag-off was at Padang Utara,” recalled Azmi, who is from Taman Sri Manja. 

They were both in high spirits before the flag-off, keen to repeat their success in last year’s run where Azmi came in first and Azizah second in their respective races. 

Choi Lai Mou, 40, was seen walking to the starting line with her mother-in-law Chan Yoke Khen, 64, and children Yeong Syueh Wen, 12, Kah Hing, 9, and Syueh Lin, 5. 

Choi said they were all taking part in the 3km fun run to support her husband who was in the 10km run. 

“Instead of just supporting him from the sidelines, I think this is good way for the family to spend time together and it is a healthy activity for the children,” said Choi. 

Participating tourists: The Brocklebank family from England in their in-line skates. They are (from right) Ian, Joshua, Jenny and Emily.

Ian Brocklebank and his wife Jenny were on a two-week holiday in Malaysia with their children Joshua and Emily when they heard about the event. 

“We decided to join the 3km fun run in our in-line skates,” said Ian, who is from England. 

On hand to cheer participants at the finishing line was SMK Seafield’s cheer team Vulcanz. 

After the race, people gathered casually with their family and friends around the stadium, chatting, eating, drinking, and enjoying the entertainment by RSH Malaysia, Reebok, and California Fitness. 

During performances by singers Fadzli Zainal and Dina, both from Malaysian Idol, a few of their fans even came up to them and danced along.  

Free Fitnesse cereal, Milo and 100 Plus drinks were given out during the event. 

It was a special day for Lai Nicole who turned eight the same day.  

Her parents Lai Poh Wah, 40, and Lee Chin Chow, 37, bought her a birthday cake brightly decorated with a picture of Ariel of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. 

The whole family, including two-year-old Kaylee, had participated in the run. 

Nicole was all smiles as her family and friends gathered around her on the stadium’s and sang “Happy Birthday”.  

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