KUCHING: The first ever La Promenade Fitness Weekend, held at the new mall along Kuching-Samarahan Expressway, kicked off with a bang.
PARTICIPATION: Those competing came from as far as Penang, KK, KL, Bintulu and Brunei.
FITNESS CENTRE: Sweat Factory is on L4 of La Promenade Mall.
SPORTING: Stakan YB Datuk Hamzah Brahim (middle) with winners of the Sweat Challenge, a functional fitness competition, at Saturday noon at La Promenade Mall.
The three-in-one festival began Saturday with a functional fitness championship, followed by the main event, a half marathon on Sunday at 5am. It was the first running festival since 2019. Martial arts demos were also held all-weekend long.
The functional fitness championship attracted 100 contestants, including gym instructors from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Bintulu and Miri.
The running event saw 1,350 sign-ups across four categories: 21km, 10km, 5km and 3km. Prizes totalled RM10,000 for 21km and 10km winners, and a fun “Best Dressed” contest.
“We are thrilled to deepen our relationship with Kuching and Samarahan’s community. As a new neighbourhood mall, we prioritise community services alongside retailing. We’re proud to have created the biggest run since 2019, offering subsidised rates from just RM30 per registration and with big cash prizes.
MEMENTO: HSL executive director Tony Yu (second left) presenting a memento to Stakan YB Datuk Hamzah Brahim (second right) on day one of La Promenade Fitness Festival on Saturday.
TOUR: Stakan YB Datuk Hamzah Brahim Official taking a tour of the expo area of #LaProRun near the racekit collection area at La Promenade Mall. Looking on is Grit Event Management's principal Awang Saifeluddin (second right).
ART: Stakan YB Datuk Hamzah Brahim speaking with Leonard Siaw 萧艺 about his record breaking artwork at La Promenade Mall.
“With relaxed SOPs, now is the perfect time to put fitness first,” HSL executive director Tony Yu said.
Just like the recent Sarawak Bonsai Open Championship, La Promenade Mall would make the Fitness Weekend an annual affair, he added.
“It brings us joy to see youths, families, across all races come together for a great time out. We hope the public sees value in the community centric direction we have taken.“
Joining the La Promenade Fitness Weekend are Sunway Medical Centre (offering free sports massage and traditional complementary medicine consultation), Milo and Green Leaf (both giving out free drinks).
Four local sports equipment suppliers joined a mini-expo, while Dayak Daily and TeaFM were official media partners. Martial demos were by Rentap Muay Thai and Studio 23.
The talented team from Grit Event Management was the run’s co-organiser.
“We’re honoured to be part of the first ever La Promenade Fitness Weekend to jump start the running community in Kuching. For the past two years, there has been a lack of competitive running events,” Grit Event founder Awang Saifeluddin said.
“La Promenade Mall is taking the lead to revitalise the running community. Their running route is scenic with beautiful landscape thus providing good opportunity for families to spend a healthy and active weekend.”
All four categories of the runs included La Promenade gated community, famous for its lavish landscaping of over 1,800 pine trees, 25,000 tea leaf shrubs, giant Bonsais and tecoma plants.
HAPPY: Excited participants in a great mood at the race kit collection area on Saturday.
To view a photo galleries of the weekend’s event, search @lapromenademall on Facebook and Instagram.