Marathon inspires community participation and athletic spirit

By Chai Xin Jie

MAIN CAMPUS, 25 May - Rancangan Khidmat Komuniti (RKK) successfully organised a marathon, themed ‘Festival of Flames 4K Marathon’ at Dewan Utama Desasiswa (DUD) on 25 May 2024 from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm.  

This event was in collaboration with Big Big Studio Equipment and Kaxprint. There were 846 participants registered for the marathon in this year. This event involved USM students and the public. 

Project director, Nur Farahani Rasol, said that this event aimed to help people in need and make people more aware of how important it is to live a healthy life. People from the university community who took part in the event not only improved their own health but also helped contribute to a charitable need. A portion of the participation fees will be donated to help those in need. 

“To make sure everyone feels welcome, our media team uses welcoming language and images in promotional materials to emphasise that the event is open to everyone. We have a variety of activities for people with diverse interests. For example, J2 Fireworks put on a fire show at this event, and there was 3-minute fireworks show,” Farahani said. 

“We made sure the participants were safe and healthy by working with Jabatan Keselamatan to handle traffic and safety around the track. There was an ambulance and paramedics from Pusat Sejahtera at Padang Kawad in case of an emergency. Additionally, Sukarelawan Bomba was ready at Padang Kawad in case of a fire,” she said. 

Participants wait to head out from the starting point. Picture by Chai Xin Jie

Chin Jia Yi, The Arts 2 said she decided to run this marathon to push her mental and physical limits. She also ran in the marathon and took part in charity events. In the end, finishing the marathon gave her a great sense of success that fueled her motivation to continue pursuing personal growth while contributing positively to society.  

“University marathons promote both physical fitness and a sense of community among participants and the USM campus. These activities encourage participants to focus on their well-being and develop lasting habits by promoting healthier lifestyles through active involvement. I would encourage others to participate in such events in the future, as they not only contribute to personal fitness goals but also enhance relationships and promote a culture of wellness within the community,” she added.